Fracture Care Specialist

What are the types of fractures?

A fracture is any type of break or disruption in the healthy structure of your bone tissue. There are various types of fractures, as well as varying degrees of severity. 

A closed fracture is a break in the bone that does not cause the broken ends to move out of alignment. In an open fracture, the broken bone ends are no longer in line with one another. Surgery is needed to move them back into their proper position, to facilitate proper healing. 

A transverse fracture occurs straight across a bone, while an oblique fracture is a break that is not at a 90-degree angle in relation to the bone. A spiral fracture occurs when a twisting motion pulls bone fragments apart, and a comminuted fracture has numerous small bone fragments between two larger bone segments. 

With a closed fracture, the broken bone ends remain inside your skin. In an open or compound fracture, a portion of the broken bones breaks the surface of your skin.   

How do I know if I have a fracture?

Most fractures lead to immediate and severe pain and are impossible to ignore. Additional signs of a fracture include:

• Limb deformity
• Difficulty moving a limb
• Sensations of tingling or numbness 
• Swelling
• Bruising and tenderness

There are cases in which a minor fracture will not present severe pain or other apparent symptoms. If you are experiencing any pain or unusual sensations, schedule a diagnostic exam to check for fractures or other joint health issues. 

What is fracture care?

Fracture care involves the full scope of medical services that support diagnosing and treating broken bone tissue. The primary focus of fracture care is to determine the source of pain or other symptoms as the first step in creating a customized treatment plan. 

Treatment focuses on restoring proper bone alignment, promoting healing of damaged bone tissue, and restoring normal function as quickly as possible. Fractures can prevent you from engaging in healthy physical activities, which can lead to a negative cascade of other joint health issues, including muscle wasting and weight gain. 

What are bone nonunions?

A bone nonunion occurs when a broken bone fails to heal correctly. A delayed union is when the bone tissue heals, but at a slower-than-normal pace. 

One of the most common symptoms of nonunions is pain at the site of the break long after the original injury. For some, pain persists for months or even years. Pain can be constant or intermittent and can vary in severity depending on your activities. 

Bone stimulation treats nonunions by using pulsed electromagnetic waves to promote bone healing. Surgical treatment resolves nonunions through bone grafting, internal fixation, external fixation, or other techniques to reposition broken bone tissue and stimulate healing. 

If you suffer a broken bone, or if a previous repair does not seem to be yielding the desired effects, call Premier Orthopedics to schedule a diagnostic exam or book online today.