HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A FRACTURE?
The most common signal that you are experiencing a fracture is the pain that accompanies it. Most people who experience a fracture have mild to severe pain and discomfort. A fracture can be any type of bone break from a thin crack to a full break.
There are many different types of fractures such as a simple fracture that may only require casting or splinting, or more complex fractures that could require surgery. Fractures can be clean divisions in a bone or broken into many pieces. Understanding the causes and symptoms associated with a fracture will help in making sure you get the proper treatment.
What Causes a Fracture?
A fracture can happen for a variety of reasons. Most fractures occur from:
- Falling
- Trauma/high impact force to the body
- Traumatic events such as gunshot wounds or car accidents
- Sport injuries
- Overuse
- Health conditions that weaken the bones like osteoporosis
In addition, age can play a role in obtaining a fracture. As you get older, your bones become weaker, which can make it easier for them to break.
What are the Symptoms of a Fracture?
There are many symptoms to be aware of when trying to determine if you have a fracture. The most common symptom is mild to intense pain that occurs when the initial injury happens. It can worsen over time if you move it or touch the area that’s injured. Other symptoms to look out for are:
- Bruising, redness, or swelling surrounding the injured area
- Grinding or snapping sound when the fracture happens
- Trouble supporting your weight at the location of the fracture
- Deformity at the location of the fracture
- Discolored skin in and around the affected area
- Bleeding if the fracture is an open wound
In more severe cases, a person may become dizzy, faint, or lightheaded. If this occurs, seek medical attention immediately. At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, our team of specialists can help you find the right treatment for your fracture. Find out if you have experienced a fracture below.
HOW IS A FRACTURE TREATED?
If you are experiencing mild to excruciating pain from a fracture, it’s important to seek professional help to determine how to treat your fracture. The team at Oasis Orthopedic & Spiner will provide a proper diagnosis, classify the type of fracture you have, as well as provide a non-surgical or surgical treatment plan specific to your needs.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Fractures
The first step to finding pain relief from a fracture is to find the root of the problem. Treatment will depend on the location of the fracture, type of break, as well as the severity. The experts at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine believe in exhausting conservative treatments before turning to surgical treatments. These non-surgical treatments can include:
- Immobilization
- Braces or splints
- Hard casting
- Traction
- Pain medication
- Pain management injections
Surgical Treatments for Fractures
When non-surgical methods have been exhausted, if the condition has not improved, or if the fracture was deemed too severe for conservative treatment, then surgery may be the best course of action. Surgical treatment of fractures depends on the type of fracture, severity, and location. Your doctor will review your treatment options and select the surgical option that will yield the best results for your unique fracture. Some surgical treatment options may include internal fixation hardware such as metal screws, rods, and plates. In some situations, the use of a bone graft or external fixation device may be recommended.
If you think surgery is the best option for you, our team at Oasis can help. Use our treatment finder tool below to get started.