Fracture

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a crack or break in a bone. Although a bone can withstand pressure or impact to a certain extent, it will break if the force applied exceeds the bone's ability to withstand it.

This means that any bone in the body can be broken. Although fractures are usually caused by trauma, depending on the case, they can be complete or incomplete.

Types of fractures

There are different types of fractures such as:

• Comminuted fracture , a condition in which a bone is broken into many pieces.
• Greenstick fracture , this is an incomplete fracture in which only part of the bone is damaged. This condition is more common in children because their bones are softer and more elastic.
• Fractures , incomplete fractures of the bone, are difficult to detect with conventional X-rays.
• An oblique fracture occurs when the bone breaks diagonally or at an angle.
• Pathological fractures , caused by an underlying disease that weakens the bone, making it more likely to break.
• Stress fractures , which occur more commonly in athletes or people who regularly put repeated pressure on the bone.
• Transverse fracture , a break in a straight line across the bone.

Fractures are also generally classified into closed and open fractures. In case closed fracture , a cracked or broken bone that does not damage surrounding tissues or protrude through the skin. In this case open or compound fracture , where the bone cracks or breaks through the skin.

What are the symptoms of a broken bone?

Because there are many types of fractures, the symptoms of each type will manifest differently.

For example, an open fracture has a visible wound. In contrast, a closed fracture has symptoms such as deformity or discoloration of the skin in the injured area.

Other symptoms that may occur include:

• The wound was painful, swollen and bruised.
• There is a creaking sensation when trying to move.
• Unable to move the injured area

Severe injuries to large bones such as the pelvis or femur can cause the victim to look weak and pale, feel dizzy, sometimes leading to fainting and feeling sick or nauseous all over.

What causes broken bones?

A fracture occurs when a force is applied directly to a bone that exceeds the bone's resistance. Fractures are most common in childhood, although you can break a bone at any age.

Because older people have more brittle bones (due to osteoporosis), they are at higher risk of fractures from impact and falls than younger people.

What are the complications and diseases associated with bone fractures?

Complications from fractures include:

• Blood loss , because bones are a rich source of blood.
• Damage to surrounding organs, tissues, or structures . For example, a skull fracture can damage the brain, or a broken rib can puncture a lung.
• Poor linkage between branches if the bone does not heal completely
• Slow bone growth
• Infection