Many people deal with a broken bone ( fracture ) in the course of their life, for example due to a fall while playing sports or a traffic accident. There are some differences when it comes to a broken bone, because the bone is not always completely broken in half. Doctors describe a fracture in their definition as follows: The bone or the bone structure is completely or partially interrupted. In addition, the bone can be shifted (dislocated) or broken into several individual parts (bone fragments).
There are various reasons why a bone is broken. A common cause is external force and violence. An example is a violent impact, such as a fall while skiing or a traffic accident. A blow or impact can also cause a fracture.
Another reason is permanent mechanical loads that act on the bones. An example are permanent overloads such as long walks with a heavy backpack – the “march fracture” often affects the metatarsal bone. Such fatigue or stress fractures are not always noticeable immediately, for example through pain. Sometimes the bones are also damaged by diseases, such as osteoporosis or bone metastases from advanced cancer – then the bones break more quickly.
In most cases, a bone fracture becomes noticeable through pain. A malposition is usually recognizable from the outside, for example if a bulge has formed due to a displaced bone or an arm has gotten out of its axis and takes on an unnatural shape. Swelling and bruising are also common. People who have a bone fracture are usually unable to move or use the affected part of their body.
There are also other types of broken bones, which are classified according to other distinguishing features – some examples:
These different types of fractures in turn determine which treatment is appropriate.
A broken bone can cause various symptoms, which can vary in severity. Broken bones are not always immediately recognizable, for example when fine cracks have formed in the bone that hardly cause any pain.
This is the case, for example, with a stress fracture (also known as a stress fracture). Sometimes these broken bones can only be seen on an X-ray. Some symptoms may indicate an injury other than a broken bone, such as a bruise or strain. Therefore, doctors differentiate between certain and uncertain fracture signs.
Certain fracture symptoms are:
Uncertain fracture symptoms are:
First aid is particularly important in the event of a broken bone. The point is to move the broken bone as little as possible, otherwise the surrounding tissue, blood vessels and nerves could be damaged. In the case of an open hernia, it is important to prevent the ingress of pathogens. However, first aid is only a short-term measure and in no way replaces treatment in the doctor’s office or in the hospital. There are a few precautions to be taken by first responders.
This is what you should do as first aid measures:
Measures:
In the case of a broken bone, the treatment depends on various factors. It is important, for example, whether the fracture is open or closed, which bone is broken, the extent of the fracture, whether the fracture is displaced or how many broken bones there are. Some fractures can be healed with immobilisation with a splint or cast, while a complicated fracture will require surgery.
Basically, the therapy for a fracture consists of bringing the bone (or the fragments) back into their normal position and fixing them. This happens until the bone heals and functions as before. When treating a fracture, there are two strategies – without surgery (conservative therapy) and with surgery.
Many people ask themselves which doctor is responsible for treating a broken bone? A specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery is the right contact person for a bone fracture.
A cast is suitable if the broken bone shows no or only minimal misalignment. Sometimes doctors need to set up the bone before applying the cast. The word “set” means to put the bone back in its original, correct position.
First, a splint is usually used that is open on one side. The reason for the temporary cast is that the affected limb is usually swollen. A rigid cast would constrict the limb too much and could damage the blood vessels and nerves. Doctors usually only put on the correct plaster cast after five to ten days. This immobilizes the broken bone, prevents movement of the bone and ensures that the fracture can heal well. A cast is suitable, for example, for a broken bone in the arm or leg.
Doctors don’t have to immobilize every broken bone, or if they do, then only for a short time. Examples are a stable vertebral fracture (e.g. due to osteoporosis) or a simple fracture of the little finger (a tape bandage is often sufficient here). One advantage is that the treatment time is reduced, which is particularly beneficial for older people. Doctors generally assume that the follow-up treatment lasts about as long as the immobilization itself. In functional fracture therapy, those affected are allowed to move and strain the affected part of the body as far as the pain and discomfort allow.
Sometimes a broken bone requires surgery. This applies to open fractures, but also to more complicated closed fractures. These include, for example, fractures with injuries to other areas if a joint is involved or comminuted fractures with many bone fragments. The operation is done through a skin incision. Surgeons return the bone to its original position and fix it with the help of various materials.
These include plates, screws, wires or nails (e.g. made of nickel or titanium). Screws or nails do not always have to be removed in a second operation. There are now even materials that dissolve themselves after a while. However, in children who are still growing, surgeons remove screws, nails, and plates to avoid interfering with bone growth.
There are also external fixators (fixateurexternal). These are special holding devices that consist of a frame and screws. The frame is attached from the outside and fixed with screws in the bone. Such external restraints are used, for example, in the case of some open fractures or people with life-threatening injuries.
How long it takes for a broken bone to heal varies greatly. The length of time depends on the location, type and extent of the bone fracture. An uncomplicated, simple fracture heals faster than, for example, a comminuted fracture with many bone fragments that required surgery. In addition, the healing time for a broken bone depends on age and general health. Metabolic activity decreases with increasing age – and a fracture does not heal as quickly.
Some healing time numbers:
A broken bone can also cause pain while healing. They are usually most pronounced in the first four weeks. Depending on the type and extent of the fracture, in some cases the pain may not have completely disappeared again for up to six months. When to go to the doctor? If the pain does not decrease or even increases.
Anyone who has ever worn a plaster cast is more familiar with the excruciating itching. Scratching with objects such as a knitting needle or cutlery is not advisable because you can injure the skin. It is better to distract yourself and ignore the itching until it goes away.
Caution: If fingers or toes become bluish or lose sensitivity after putting on a cast, the cast is probably too tight and is affecting circulation. You must then immediately see a doctor who will put on a new cast.
It is not possible to heal a broken bone through diet. However, there are certain foods that are good for strong bones and can aid in the healing process. A sufficient supply of calcium and vitamin D is particularly important. Good sources of calcium are milk and milk products such as cheese, yoghurt, quark or buttermilk. Vitamin D, on the other hand, can be produced by the body itself under the influence of sunlight. Some foods also contain vitamin D, such as cheese, fish, oysters, mushrooms, butter, eggs, chicken and beef liver.
Doctors are often able to diagnose a broken bone at first glance: a malposition is often recognizable, for example of the arm, finger or leg. The limb is then no longer in its original position. In addition, a crackling noise can be heard and an open fracture can be seen immediately anyway, because bones are visible and sometimes protrude from the skin. The doctor asks the patient a few questions (anamnesis), for example about the type and intensity of the symptoms (e.g. pain), how the fracture occurred and how the accident happened (e.g. a fall while playing sports).
It is also important whether the patient has an underlying disease (e.g. osteoporosis, cancer) and whether he is taking medication. In the case of stress fractures and stress fractures, on the other hand, with often very fine cracks in the bones, the diagnosis of the fracture is not so easy because they hardly cause any pain.
A physical examination usually follows. The doctor takes a close look at the injured part of the body and feels it. He looks for swelling, bruising and checks the mobility of limbs. Various imaging methods are suitable for reliably diagnosing a broken bone.
The main methods are:
There are various causes of a broken bone. External forces are often behind when a bone breaks.
There are two different mechanisms here:
There are other causes of fractures:
This article was written by Ingrid Müller, biologist
The original of this post “Surgery is not always necessary: This is how broken bones are recognized and treated” comes from FOCUS doctor search.
