What is a bone fracture?

A bone fracture refers to a broken bone, which often results from trauma such as falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. However, certain medical conditions and repeated stress on the bones, like that from running, can also raise the risk of specific types of fractures.

You might require surgery to fix a broken bone. In some cases, a splint, cast, brace or sling is enough to help the bone heal. The time it takes to fully recover depends on which bone is broken, where the break is, and what has caused it.

What is the difference between bone fracture vs bone break?

Bone fractures and broken bones refer to the same injury, and the same terms are often used interchangeably. A fracture is a simple medical term for a broken bone, so after diagnosing your injury, your doctor will likely describe it as a specific type of fracture.

What usual signs and symptoms accompany a fractured bone?

Bone fractures often cause several visible symptoms helping in identifying the condition more effectively. The following are typical symptoms of bone fractures:

Pain at the injury site
Tenderness
Swelling
A bump at the injury site
Unable to move the affected body part

What are the different types of fractures?

There are several types of fractures that one might experience, but the most common types of fractures include:

Stable fracture:

In a stable fracture, the bone fragments remain close together and are properly aligned. The most common treatment involves using a splint or cast.

Comminuted fracture:

The bone breaks into many pieces, making it hard to realign them. Surgery is usually the best course of action in these situations.

Dislocated fracture:

The bone fragments are not in their normal position. If they can be realigned, a splint or cast is the usual treatment.

Compound fracture:

This type of fracture, also known as an open fracture, occurs when the broken bone breaks through the skin or when a wound reaches down to the bone. Immediate joint or bone surgery is necessary.

What are the common causes of fractures?

Bone fractures are usually caused by trauma. Any impact with enough force can break a bone. Some of the most common causes are:

Sports injuries
Falls
Accidents

You can sometimes break a bone without a specific injury. Repeated activities, like running or playing a sport, can cause stress fractures. Constantly repeating the same movement over time can also lead to overuse problems in your hands and arms. Consult the best ortho hospital in Coimbatore if you experience symptoms of bone fractures.

What are the treatment options to treat a fracture?

The aim of treating a fracture is to return the bone to its normal position so it heals properly. This sometimes involves adjusting or “setting” the broken bone.

Non-surgical treatment options:

Functional braces are typically made of molded plastic and act like a cast for certain stable or healing fractures. They can be removed for cleaning.

Casts is another non-surgical treatment option which is a reliable way to treat fractures and can be made of plaster or fiberglass. They keep the bone in place and prevent movement so it can heal properly. Casts are commonly used for fractures of the hand, wrist, forearm, lower leg, ankle, and foot.

External fixation involves inserting threaded pins into the bone above and below the fracture, connected by a frame outside the body. This method, often called “ex-fix,” is typically used to temporarily stabilize open fractures or fractures with soft tissue damage until they can be fully repaired.

Surgical treatment of fractures:

Intramedullary nailing, also known as rodding, involves inserting a nail into the marrow cavity of the bone and securing it with screws above and below the fracture. This method doesn’t usually require opening the fracture site surgically. The nail acts as an internal support to help align and heal the fracture. It is commonly used for fractures in long bones like the femur and tibia.

Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) is a surgical procedure where the broken bone is exposed so that plates and screws can be used to fix it directly. This method is often used for fractures in the forearm, upper arm (humerus), tibia, and ankle. The bone is screwed back together, which helps it heal directly.

How long does a bone fracture take to heal?

Usually, bones take about 6-8 weeks to heal in most parts of the body. For larger or heavier bones like the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), healing can take up to 20 weeks (5 months). Factors such as age, overall health, and bone condition can also impact healing time. Bone healing happens in three stages:

Inflammatory phase:

Within 48 hours after a fracture, the torn blood vessels start bleeding, leading to the formation of a blood clot at the fracture site, known as a fracture hematoma. This clot interrupts blood flow to the area, causing some bone cells to die. This stage typically lasts about a week from the day of the fracture.

Reparatory phase:

This phase begins 1 or 2 days after the fracture and lasts for 2-3 weeks, running alongside the previous stage. During this time, cartilage and tissue form around the fracture. A soft tissue called callus starts to develop at both ends of the break and eventually connects, stabilizing the bone. These soft calluses are later replaced by spongy bone tissue known as trabecular bone.

Remodeling phase:

During this phase, solid bone tissue replaces the spongy trabecular bone. For a few days, the area around the bone may be swollen, but this swelling will gradually go away on its own.

What are the ways to speed up the fractured bone recovery time?

Doctor medications:

A doctor may recommend protein supplements because bone tissue is mostly made up of protein.

Vitamin supplements:

Vitamins help speed up bone healing because many of the processes in bone are driven by them. Supplements with Vitamins B, C, D, and K are often recommended. Vitamin B, in particular, supports energy production.

Mineral supplements:

Bones are rich in zinc, calcium, magnesium, silicon, and phosphorus. Supplements with these minerals can help speed up the bone fracture healing process.

Exercise:

The doctor will recommend specific exercises at each stage of healing. These exercises help speed up bone recovery, boost blood flow to the area, and rebuild muscle mass.

Avoid smoking:

Since smoking can reduce blood flow in small blood vessels throughout the body, including bones, it’s important to avoid smoking while healing.

What does the healing time of a bone fracture depend on?

There are several factors that impact the bone fracture healing process and the time it takes to recover. Here are some common factors:

Overall health and age
Severity of the fracture
How quickly treatment was received
Your lifestyle habits like smoking or drinking

What happens if a fracture is not treated on time?

Typically, the body can heal a bone fracture on its own. However, it’s risky to rely on this, and a doctor’s help is always needed, even for minor breaks. Without proper treatment, the bone might heal incorrectly, become misaligned, or develop issues like abnormal growth, loss of function, or weakness. Consulting an orthopedic doctor ensures the bone heals properly using the right methods to keep it aligned and strengthen it correctly.

If fractures aren’t treated correctly, there can be other complications, such as:

Infection resulting from the wound that may travel to different body areas
Swelling in the joints near the fracture due to bleeding
Blood clots forming in vessels near the fracture and potentially causing further issues
Injury to the muscles, tissues, or skin surrounding the fracture

What are the tips to reduce the risk of fractures?

Although fractures can occur at any point of time and there are a few tips that can help to avoid fracture injuries,

Ensure to wear seatbelts
Make sure to keep your space clutter free to avoid tripping
Ensure to use right gear while playing sports
Make sure to maintain proper bone health

When should you reach out to a doctor?

Addressing issues early and getting prompt treatment can help avoid delays in healing. Contact your doctor if:

Any signs of infection
In case the healing is taking longer
Sudden increase in pain
Even after healing there is pain

Can physical therapy help in quicker recovery from fractures?

Good blood flow is crucial for bone repair, so exercising helps bones heal. That’s why physical therapy is key for safe and quick bone recovery. Your orthopedist and physical therapist will collaborate to design a program that supports healing and helps you regain strength and mobility.

Your physical therapy program may begin with gentle range-of-motion exercises even while your bone is still in a cast. This helps prevent stiffness in your arm or leg, keeps muscles strong, and improves circulation. For hand and wrist injuries, exercises that involve moving your thumb and fingers can help keep the tendons flexible and strong.

Physical therapy can teach you how to move safely while your bone is immobilized. This supports faster healing and helps prevent re-injury. For hand or arm fractures, it may involve learning to move carefully while in a cast or sling. For leg fractures, your therapist can show you how to use crutches or a cane properly to avoid putting too much weight on the healing bone.

Can fractures heal without any treatment?

Usually when minor fractures occur they can get healed on their own without much complications. But when major fractures occur they require immediate treatment to avoid any complications.

Important Takeaway:

A fracture can be very painful and may cause significant loss of function and disability. The extent of this loss can vary, being either temporary or permanent, depending on how severe the injury is. After a fracture, your main goal should be to regain mobility and strength. Physical therapy can help you return to your best possible function as quickly as possible. Consult a bone doctor in Coimbatore if you experience a fracture to seek expert care.