How are diagnosed and treated bone fractures
How are diagnosed and treated bone fractures. Broken bones refers to complete or partial break a bone in various ways – transverse, longitudinal or multiple pieces.
Although the human body bones are rigid, they bend or succumb to a certain degree, when subjected to external pressure. When a support force is too high, can break bones, occurring fractures that must be diagnosed and treated immediately.
Types of bone fractures
Fracture severity varies depending on causes that produced them. For example, if the bone breaking point was forced to a lower intensity, it can crack, instead of having it break completely.
If the bone is broken into many fragments of bone that penetrate the skin tissue or the wound is deep enough, that exposes the fractured bone, then it is an open fracture, extremely dangerous in terms of infection that might determine both the skin , and of bone.
Common Types of bone fractures are
- Stable fracture (broken bone ends are aligned and very little displaced);
- Open fracture (skin is perforated by OS or an external object);
- Fracture transverse (horizontal line shows a bone fracture);
- Oblique fracture (fracture has an angular shape);
- Comminuted fracture (the bone fragments into three or more segments);
Causes
There can be many causes of bone fractures, but among the most common include
- Trauma – a fall, a car accident, a confrontation purple and so on;
- Osteoporosis – the disease decreases bone density and increases predisposition to fractures;
- Overload – repetitive movements can tire muscles and can exert major pressure on the bones, resulting in stress fractures;
Symptoms
Most fractures are extremely painful and can limit movement of the affected area. Other common symptoms of fracture are
- Visible swelling and tenderness to the touch;
- Ecchymosis (bruising);
- Deformities (upper or lower limbs may vary in their shape or natural anatomical bone can penetrate skin tissue);
Diagnosis
As soon as you suspect a broken bone , seek medical advice immediately. Doctors can recognize these issues by examining the anatomic region injured and performing a scan . Even so, they can hide a fracture difficult to observe , such as those of the wrist, hip ( if elderly ) or stress fractures ( common among athletes ) .
In these cases , your doctor may perform other specialized tests such as computed tomography , magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) or ultrasound bone . In some specific cases , as a suspected fracture to his wrist , the doctor can mount a splint to immobilize the area and may require a second scan after 10-14 days.
Occasionally , even after the diagnosis of bone fracture , you may need more tests medical ( computed tomography (CT ) or MRI angiogram – a special x-ray of blood vessels) for determination of the injuries sustained in tissues around the broken bone .
If a skull fracture is suspected , the doctor will perform emergency request a CT scan (no other radiographs ) to diagnose the fracture and, even more importantly, possible internal injuries skull , and bleeding in the brain.
Treatment
An exception of minor fractures ( set at the tip of a finger, for example ) , bone fractures involve administering emergency treatment at the hospital.
First aid for fractures is extremely important . If you see an injured person and the suspect could have suffered broken bones back, neck or hip , does not change body position until the arrival of emergency medical team . Meanwhile, you can prevent further fractures and their complications , the affected limb was immobilized with makeshift splints ( pieces of wood , plastic, metal or other rigid material ) .
In this bleeding , it is important to apply pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding before applying splints .
Fractured bones to be repositioned and mobilized so that it can heal properly ( this process is called bone reduction ) . Repositioning fractured bone without bone reduction surgery is called closed, and severe fractures may require open bone reduction ( by surgery ) .
After repositioning the bone , most fractures require the fitting of splints or pouring plaster ( natural hydrated calcium sulfate ) for a quick and proper healing of the affected bone . Medications are limited to analgesics to alleviate pain .
Physical recovery can begin immediately , stimulate blood circulation , healing and maintaining muscle tone and prevention of blood clots and stiffness sick member .
After removing the plaster , the proximity of the fracture remains inflexible for several weeks and may have swelling. Also, ingrown hairs can occur because of irritation caused by gypsum in the hair follicles . If legs fractured bones , walking may be difficult ( limp ) until full recovery . Symptoms usually disappear after a month of treatment.
After healing a fracture is recommended to use the affected limb gradually , as may be necessary for a period of 4-6 weeks to regain vigor bone . The doctor may indicate that the patient can exercise intensity submit it without exposing themselves to the risk of complications. Exercise performed in water are an excellent way to complete rehabilitation of fractured bones .