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Fracture Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
A bone fracture occurs when your bone breaks due to a force the bone can’t handle. Bone fractures are common, and many people deal with thi s type of injury every day. Fractures vary in severity level, and there are many different treatment methods for them based on this severity. Your doctor at Premier Orthopaedics will utilize advanced technology and wide range of skills to diagnose your injury and provide an effective treatment. Read on to learn more about fracture causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.
Causes
Bones can withstand pressure to a certain point, but sometimes the pressure is too much, leading to a fracture. They happen most often when you’re involved in a rigorous sport or activity, landing from a fall, car accidents, and other activities that cause trauma to the bone. Another cause of a bone fracture is osteoporosis. This bone disease occurs due to calcium loss, and the affected patient’s bones lose strength and density. It’s common for an individual to be unaware that they suffer from osteoporosis until they fall and a bone breaks too easily.
Symptoms
When a fracture occurs, you may hear a crunching, popping, or snapping sound as the bone breaks. You may feel pain in the general area of the fracture and experience some swelling. Bruising can also be present at the site of the fracture. Depending on where the fracture is on your body, the area could appear deformed or like something is protruding from the skin. It will probably be hard to move that area, such as an arm or a leg.
Diagnosis
If you identify with any of the previous symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately or visit the emergency room or Premier’s Orthopaedic Urgent Care Center. If you’re in pain and can’t see a doctor immediately, there are some things you can do in the meantime to ease the pain. Be sure to gently clean the wound with soap and water if skin is broken and cover it with a bandage to keep bacteria from entering it. Applying ice to the fractured area will also relieve some pain and help the swelling go down. Once you arrive for medical care, your physician will perform a physical examination. You’ll then undergo an X-ray so the doctor can determine whether your bone is broken and exactly where the fracture occurred. After this, your physician will determine what treatment method is best for your injury. Typically, a fractured bone will be set in a cast to immobilize it and allow it to heal. Before being put in a cast, the physician will ensure that the bone is aligned correctly and stabilized properly.
Surgery may be necessary if you have a complex fracture or the bone is shattered. If you’re dealing with a bone fracture, the team of professionals at Premier Orthopaedics can help you recover quickly. Click here to contact Premier Orthopaedics.
For more information about fracture care, click here to download our free eBook,Understanding Fracture Care: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
