Splints - Falls Treatment, Broken Bone, Fractures
What is Broken Bone (Fracture)?
- A broken bone (fracture) may be a medical condition during which a bone is cracked or broken. It's always something from a little crack to a different bone that allows it to shift out of place. Bone fracture signs can include intense discomfort, swelling, and bruises. Doctors often have the ability to treat bone fractures with a cast or a splint. You need to undergo surgery for serious splits.
- Our body is made up of bones. Bones are a type of connective tissue that is filled with calcium and bone cells. Bones have a soft core, called the marrow, where blood cells are produced. Most of the other functions of our skeleton are to sustain our body, to facilitate mobility and to protect our internal organs.
- There are various forms of bone fracturing. Some will be more extreme than others, depending on the strength and direction of impact, the individual bone involved, and also on the age and general health of the person. Popular bone fractures include knee, wrist and hip fractures. For older people, hip fractures are the most common. We provide services in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Types of Fractures
Here we have listed some types of fractures
- Simple fractures during which the fractured pieces of bone are well aligned and stable.
- Unstable fractures are those during which fragments of the broken bone are misaligned and displaced.
- Open (compound) fractures are severe fractures during which the injured bones traverse the skin. This sort of fracture is more susceptible to infection and requires immediate medical attention.
- Greenstick fractures: This is often a singular fracture in children that involves bending one side of the bone with none break within the bone.
Treatment for Broken Bone (Fractures)
Doctors will often prefer Splint and Casing methods to put the broken bone into a normal condition. In the severe conditions use rods and plates for Surgeries. Treatment may depend on how serious the injury is.
- Splint: A piece of medical equipment wont to keep an injured part from moving and to guard it against any longer damage.
- Casing: Closed reduction is completed for any fracture that's displaced, shortened, or angulated. Splints and casts made from fiberglass or plaster of Paris material are wont to immobilize the limb.
How do you splint or Cast a Broken Bone?
- Splints may be made ready-made or from the simplest materials. For instance, a person may use branches, boards, cardboard layers or a sleeping pad with foam. Wrapping materials for the splint can include bandannas, webbing climbing, ripped shirts, trousers, or other garments. Such materials should be fully wrapped around the split end to protect the splint but should not be so tight as to block blood circulation.
- A basic rule of splinting is that the joint above and below the broken part of bone should be immobilized to protect the fracture site. For example, if the lower leg has a broken bone, the splint should immobilize both the ankle and the knee.
- Sensation and pulses should be tested at least once an hour below the splint. Then the person complains of tightness, tingling, or numbness, the wrapping material should be fully removed, and the splint should be loosened.
What are some tips to look after cast?
- Stop putting pressure on the cast, or weight. When you have a leg injury or Broken bone and a walking cast, make sure the cast has fully healed before you try walking on it.
- Keep the cast dry, and clean. A cool setting hair dryer may be used to dry out a cast of fiberglass if it is wet. Whether the cast doesn't heal, or the skin under the cast is sticky, call the doctor.
- Cover or cover the cast with a plastic sheet, before taking a bath or shower. Many medical supplies stores or pharmacy stores sell cast covers made from plastic with Velcro straps or rubber gaskets.
- Do not insert any items into the cast. Should not use lotions or powders on skin below the mask.
- Seek not to scratch itchy skin with a sharp object under the mask. If the skin is cut or torn, this may result in an infection.
- When you detect an odd or offensive scent coming from the cast call the doctor. Perspiration or moisture beneath the cast can cause the growth of mold or mildew. When it remains wet for a long time the skin may break down and become infected.
We at Quick Care, MD, are ready to give the basic information about Fractures.
What is a Fracture?
An injury caused to bone, especially when it is broken is considered as a Fracture. Fractures are caused due to different reasons. Fractures are considered as serious injuries and are to be treated immediately. We also provide different urgent care services in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
What are the Symptoms?
● Severe pain with swelling
● Unable to move the fractured part
● Deformation of the bone
● Bruising or discoloration of the skin
What are the Causes?
Majority of them are due to Trauma, i.e. any accidents, fall in a washroom, falling from certain heights, during playing games etc.,
Another important reason for fractures is Osteoporosis, a condition where the bone density is drastically reduced, and they become weaker and are easily broken when compared to healthy bones.
Fractures are also caused due to overuse or repetitive motion, which causes the muscles to tire and eventually stress on bones. These are considered as stress fractures and are mostly observed in sportspeople.
What are the Types?
Stable fractures: Here the bones are in an alignment after a fracture and are not out of place.
Open or compound fracture: This is a case where the skin is pierced by the bone at the time of fracture, and the skin is torn and you have an open wound. Bone is either visible or invisible in the wound.
Transverse fracture: In this a type of fracture where the break in the bone goes horizontally across the bone.
Oblique fracture: The bone is broken in an angular/spiral way, i.e. the fracture occurs at a particular angle. We also provide broken bones treatment clinic at Frisco, Mckinney in Texas.
Comminuted fracture: In this fracture, the bone is broken into multiple pieces, i.e. into three or more parts.
Fracture is a serious injury, and its severity generally depends on the amount of force that caused the fracture. Fractures should be treated immediately to avoid the deformity of bones during the healing process.
What to do If we suspect a fracture?
● Control the bleeding.
● Immobilize the injured area.
● Never try to SET the bone yourself.
● Apply ice packs to decrease the swelling.
● Get professional help, contact your primary care physician.
How can we diagnose a fracture?
Firstly, an overall physical examination is done by the doctor, to know the wellness and physical condition of the patient. An X-ray is used to evaluate the fracture by providing a clear image of the bones. Once the doctor gets a clear idea about where the bone is broken and what type of fracture it is. This further helps in the treatment. As we provide the best treatment for broken bones treatment center in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
How are fractures treated?
Treatment options vary depending on the type of fracture. They include
Casts
A cast made up of fiberglass or plaster is most commonly used in the treatment of fractures. It is wrapped around the injured area, such that the entire fractured region becomes immobile. As the total fractured part is covered and protected, it also helps in preventing the associated infections. Most of the fractured bones heal successfully by using a cast, as they maintain the broken ends in a proper place and as straight as possible.
Splints
A Splint is usually considered as half cast; it is also used to place the broken bones in a straight way and proper position. The only difference between a cast and splint is, splint does not cover all the area around the site of fracture; it is confined to the fractured site. Splints are more convenient to use. They are adjustable, easily removable. These are also made up of fiberglass or plaster. We are the best broken bones treatment clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Splints are often used to treat minor fractures and even sprains. They provide relief from pain caused due to strain or sprain in the limbs. The splint can be used from days to weeks. When there is more swelling at the site of the fracture, doctors generally prefer splints rather than casts.
Functional Cast /Brace
Brace or Functional cast is a medical device that allows “controlled” or limited movement of the joints that are nearby. This treatment is not suitable for all types of fractures.
Traction
This is generally used to align the fractured bones by smooth and steady pulling action.
External Fixation
The external fixation is used in such cases where skin and other tissues around the broken bone were damaged to a large extent. An external fixator is fixed by an operation where metal screws or pins are placed into the broken bone above and below the site of fracture. These screws are connected with a metal bar placed outside the skin. It is a fixative frame that holds the bones in the proper position during the process of healing. We also provide services for laceration sutures treatment clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
This is a surgical procedure, where the fragments of bone are repositioned or reduced to keep in their normal alignment, and then jointly fixed with special screws or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone.
How long will it take to recover from a fracture?
Fractures usually take time to heal, which can vary from several weeks to months, depending on the type of fracture and extent of the damage. It also depends on the patient, how well they can heal based on their preexisting medical conditions. The pain will gradually get better with time. Even after removal of the cast or splint, one should limit their movements, until the bone is strong enough. Muscle strength is lost in the injured area during the time of recovery. So some physical exercises are required to restore the lost muscle strength, movement and flexibility of joints. As we are the best fractured ribs treatment providers.
How can we prevent fractures?
Fractures due to trauma cannot be prevented, but proper diet and exercise may help in preventing fractures caused due to Osteoporosis. Calcium and Vitamin D rich diet will help in promoting bone strength. Physical exercises like walking, by maintaining a healthy weight helps in maintaining the strength and flexibility of bones. We also provide the best the treatment for work related injuries in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.