Fractures Specialist

What are fractures?

A fracture is a broken bone. Your body contains more than 200 bones, and any of them could break under enough force. While bones can flex a little to prevent fracturing, extreme pressure could crack them, break them in two, or shatter them.

As you get older, bones lose flexibility and tend to weaken. This is especially true if you have osteoporosis, a condition that causes your bones to lose density and break more easily.

What types of fractures are there?

There are five main types of fracture:

Stable fracture

This is the simplest of fractures, where the broken ends of the bones stay in place and don’t need manipulating to reposition them.

Transverse and oblique fractures

Transverse fractures have horizontal fracture lines. Oblique fractures run at an angle along the bone.

Comminuted fracture

In this type of fracture, the bone breaks into multiple pieces.

Open, compound fracture

In these fractures, the bone is visible, either because the wound is open and deep, or because the bone is sticking through the skin. These are serious injuries, as not only are they extremely painful, but they’re more likely to lead to infections of the tissue and bone.

Stress fractures

Overusing a bone or subjecting it to repeated movements, such as running long distances on hard surfaces, can cause stress fractures. These are tiny breaks in the bone that can cause chronic pain.

How are fractures treated?

The treatment your provider at Northland Orthopedics & Sports Medicine advises depends on the type of fracture, which bones you’ve fractured, and how badly. Your age and any pre-existing health problems, like diabetes, can also influence the type of treatment that’s best for you.

Stable fractures might just need immobilization to give the broken bone time to heal. That could mean wearing a cast or a brace.

More serious fractures might need surgery, and the bones could need repairing. Your provider might need to use screws, pins, and plates to stabilize the fractured bones.

Other treatments for fractures include:

• Traction
• External fixation
• Open reduction and internal fixation
• Partial joint replacement
• Total joint replacement

As your fracture starts to heal, it’s vital to follow a carefully designed program of physical therapy to ensure optimal recovery. Therapy helps the tissues surrounding your fractured bones to heal and stops them from getting weak from lack of use. It also helps build stronger bones.

We proudly serve the greater Kansas City area. If you sustain a fracture, the Northland Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team provides expert surgery and effective therapies that ensure your swift recovery. Call them today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.