Bone Fractures: Symptoms, Treatment, and More!

Having a fracture is the same thing as breaking a bone. A fracture can occur in any bone, and it may be a crack or a complete break. 

Types of Bone Fractures

The type of fracture you have will depend on the severity of the break. There is a range of bone fractures, but some of the most common include:

Complete fracture- The broken all the way through. 

Partial fracture- Also known as incomplete, the bone is cracked but not all the way through.

Stress fracture- The bone has a tiny crack in it.

Open fracture- The bone protrudes through the skin.

How do I Know that I Have a Bone Fracture?

Symptoms of a fracture may vary depending on the severity of your fracture and location. Some of the symptoms you may experience include:

• Intense Pain
• Difficulty putting weight on the affected area
• Swelling and Bruising
• Difficulty moving the affected area
• The bone protruding through the skin
• The affected area looking deformed

What Causes Bone Fractures?

Bone fractures are most often caused by trauma like falling or getting in a car accident. In addition, overuse and osteoporosis can increase the risk of developing a fracture.

How is a Bone Fracture Diagnosed?

If you suspect you may have a fracture, do not wait to seek medical attention. At Elite Sports Medicine, our orthopedic team will review your medical history, ask you about your symptoms, and perform a physical examination.

If your provider suspects that you have a fracture, they may use X-ray or MRI imaging to confirm diagnosis and determine a proper treatment plan.

Does a Bone Fracture Require Surgery?

If you think you may have fractured your bone, don’t panic! Many bone fractures do not require surgery.

Bone fractures are commonly treated with a cast or a splint, which allows the bone to grow back properly.

Sometimes surgery is necessary to heal your broken bone. Your orthopedic provider will determine what form of treatment is best based on the condition of your fracture.

Bone Fracture Prevention

You can’t always prevent a bone fracture from occurring, but you can do things to strengthen your bones. Try the following tips to reduce your risk:

• Eat foods with Vitamin D and Calcium- These two vitamins are essential for bone health. Ensuring you have proper vitamin D and Cxalcium levels can strengthen your bones and prevent osteoporosis.
• Workout more- Exercise allows your bones to get stronger and to help  you maintain balance. Try walking or lifting weights more often for optimal bone health!
• Be aware of your surroundings- This might sound silly, but bones often break from a slip-and-fall incident. Make sure aren’t walking around in the dark and be careful if there is a winter storm.
• Change your shoes- Avoid wearing shoes that may cause you to fall or roll your ankle.

Seek Help from an Orthopedic Doctor Near You

If you think you may have fractured your bone, seek help from an orthopedic doctor near you or another medical provider.

At Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, our orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee have treated a range of bone fractures of the arm, wrist, hip, ankle, foot, toe, hand, finger, leg, and more! To schedule an appointment, call us or request an appointment online.

Author

Marina von Rutenberg Marina is the Marketing Coordinator for Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics. She has been writing and reviewing medical content since 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-von-rutenberg/