Broken bone

As a Broken bone or fracture is a severing of bones of the skeleton. In most cases, accidents and severe injuries result in breaking one or more bones. Furthermore, displacements or regular shattering of broken bones can occur.

What is a broken bone?

A broken bone or fracture is usually spoken of when a bone in the skeleton of a person breaks through as a result of an accident, a fall or other massive measures and events.

A bone fracture or fracture is usually spoken of when a bone in the skeleton of a person breaks through as a result of an accident, fall or other massive measures and events. In the case of the smaller toes, no extensive measures are taken in the event of a broken bone. In most cases it is sufficient to apply a firm adhesive bandage for a longer period of time.

Of course, things look different if, for example, an arm or leg breaks. These parts of the body are usually needed and used all the time, so that a broken bone can result in massive restrictions in daily life. In any case, a broken bone has to be treated by a doctor, sometimes more and sometimes less.

causes

Particularly in the more delicate limbs, such as the little toes and fingers, a bone fracture can easily occur as a result of impact with or against fixed resistance. In toes, a bone fracture often results from the massive impact of heavy and also sharp or narrow objects. When these bounce or bump on the foot, either a bruise or a fracture occurs.

Fingers can break quickly if they are caught in a doorway or between other objects. A bone fracture in the arms and legs is often caused by a fall. For example, while snowboarding and skiing. Another strong impact on a solid surface can also lead to a fracture relatively easily. Falling out of bed or so-called “falling up” stairs can also result in a serious bone fracture.

Furthermore, bone fractures can occur more frequently as part of various diseases and have not always been triggered by an accident or injury.

Diseases with this symptom

• Osteoporosis (bone loss)
• Vitreous bone disease
• Cervical spine fracture
• Skull base fracture
• Ankle fracture
• Jones fracture

• Femoral neck fracture
• Pelvic fracture
• Broken elbow
• Broken jaw
• Fatigue fracture (fatigue fracture)
• Humerus head fracture

• Radius fracture
• Metacarpal fracture
• Broken nose
• Broken finger
• Tibial head fracture
• Outer ankle fracture

Complications

An uncomplicated bone fracture usually heals surgically without any consequences. More complicated fractures can be associated with a variety of complications. Adjacent structures such as soft tissue or blood vessels and nerves are more often injured. Depending on the extent, this can lead to internal bleeding or sensitivity disorders or motor disorders.

In the case of severe blood loss, it can even lead to circulatory shock, a medical emergency. Important organs are no longer properly supplied with blood and can die as a result. The kidneys are primarily affected, which often leads to acute kidney failure in the event of an acute shock.

The fact that the bone and marrow is exposed through the fracture makes the path easier for pathogens. The bone marrow can become infected (osteomyelitis), which can also cause the bone to die and, in the worst case, ultimately lead to the systemic spread of the inflammation (sepsis), which, if left untreated, leads to death.

Further complications can arise if a few droplets of fat separate from the bone marrow of the fracture and are washed out into the blood. Similar to a detached thrombosis, they can clog vessels and trigger life-threatening pulmonary embolism.Further consequences can be the compartment syndrome, an increase in pressure in a muscle box due to vascular narrowing. This can lead to the death of the muscles of the respective box.

When should you see a doctor?

In the event of a broken bone, a doctor must be consulted in any case. It is not possible and under no circumstances is it advisable to treat a broken bone only through self-help and not to have it examined by a doctor. This can lead to malformations if the bones grow together incorrectly and the patient can suffer from consequential damage. A doctor must therefore be consulted immediately if a bone breaks.

If a visit to the family doctor is not possible, a broken bone can also be treated in a hospital. In some cases a longer stay in hospital is necessary if the patient's movement is severely restricted by the bone fracture.

If it is not possible for the person concerned to go to a hospital or a doctor himself, an emergency doctor must usually be called. This then transports the patient to the next hospital where the bone fracture is treated. Quick action is necessary if the bone fracture occurred in an accident with other injuries or if the fracture caused the patient to lose consciousness.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

There are various healing methods to correct a broken bone. In the case of a simple bone fracture, it is usually sufficient if the ends of the bones are straightened, for example by stretching. The bone fracture is then cast in plaster for about six weeks or protected with a plastic splint. If the bone fracture is very complicated, more extensive measures may be necessary. This includes the possibility of wiring the bone as well as inserting an implant. This usually consists of lightweight titanium.

In order to regulate the bone fracture with an implant, the skin over the bone fracture is opened and the implant is screwed tightly to the bone ends, for example. After a few days in which the body part in question is protected with a support bandage, many functions can often already be performed again. If the bone fracture has caused extensive damage to the body part, such as muscles and nerves that have been affected, rehabilitation measures can follow just a few days after the implant has been inserted.

Outlook & forecast

A broken bone must be treated promptly by a doctor or in a hospital. If the treatment is carried out late, it can happen that the bones grow together crooked and have to be straightened with an operation. The crooked joining of bones can have a negative impact on health. The more precise effects, however, depend on the position of the bone and its precise function. There is usually no direct treatment. Only in a few cases does the bone have to be displaced first to prevent it from growing together crookedly.

In the case of a broken bone, a plaster of paris is placed around the broken area. Depending on the position of the fracture, this can lead to restrictions in movement and in everyday life, so that the patient is dependent on help or a stay in the hospital.

If a bone breaks, it takes at least several weeks for the bones to grow back together. For larger bones, rehabilitation can take several months and require additional measures.

In most cases, treatment for a broken bone will be successful and allow the patient to return to normal life. However, treatment must start as early as possible. A doctor must therefore always be consulted in the event of uncertainty.

prevention

There is no patent prescription in healthy people to effectively prevent bone fractures. Sometimes a thoughtless step is enough. If the arm or leg hits a very hard resistance, a bone fracture can occur. It is different for people who suffer from the so-called glass bone disease: In this case, even light contact with solid objects is sufficient, which in the worst case can lead to an immediate bone fracture.

Even people suffering from osteoporosis (bone loss) cannot directly prevent bone fractures. The primary aim here is to treat the disease. Anyone who tends to fall or loses orientation and suddenly hits walls or other obstacles should have their sense of balance examined to effectively avoid a broken bone. If this is disturbed, frequent stumbling and falling can sometimes force a bone fracture.

Aftercare

Bone fractures, depending on the type and severity of the fracture, may require follow-up care to ensure that the broken bone is healing as expected. Regular visits to the attending physician are necessary in order to clarify that no further complications are to be expected. The restrictions on movement make everyday life difficult, so that those affected sometimes need the help of relatives and friends. The first few weeks after the onset of the fracture should be approached calmly and physical exertion limited. The load can only be increased gradually and carefully. However, since the shutdown entails muscle loss, it is advisable to carry out light exercises that have been agreed with the doctor.

You can do that yourself

In the event of a broken bone, a hospital or doctor must be consulted immediately. If the fracture is not treated for a few days, it can become deformed and the bones will not grow together properly. This usually doesn't look attractive and can lead to further problems, which is why a bone fracture must always be treated by a doctor. Typically, most fractures will go without further difficulty. They grow back together after a few weeks and the part of the body can usually be used again by the patient.

In order to accelerate the healing process, that part of the body needs rest and relaxation. The patient has to eat a healthy and varied diet in order to provide the body with all the necessary ingredients for the bones to grow together. Physical exertion or sporting activities should be avoided as this could lead to accidents and further injuries.

In many cases, your work has to be stopped due to your broken bone. The patient is often accompanied by dizziness and nausea in the first few hours after the bone fracture. This is a common symptom that usually goes away on its own.

In many cases, rehabilitation measures, such as physical therapy or sports therapy, are prescribed by the attending physician for the time after the hospital has been treated and the fracture has healed. These help, for example, to build up the muscles that have receded.