Bone Injuries

Fractures – a partial or complete break in the bone Causes of fractures: Direct impact Compression Indirect impact Torsion Diseases It is common for injury to occur to neighboring tissue

Signs & Symptoms Pain Deformity Swelling Bruising Numbness/Tingling Pale or cold skin Crepitation (rattling sound)

Types of Fractures Simple Fracture (closed) Compound Fracture (Open) Fracture of any type that doesn’t break the skin Compound Fracture (Open) Complete break in bone in which the bone breaks the skin

Avulsion fracture – part of bone breaks off where tendon/ligament attach

Greenstick Fracture – incomplete break in a long bone (typically when bone is partially bent) Common in children because bones are more pliable

Comminuted Fracture – bone shatters in 3 or more pieces Common in contact sports

Stress Fracture – caused when the bone is stressed from: Overuse, poor muscle balance, lack of flexibility, weak ligaments Stress on bone is greater than its ability to compensate Bone gradually deteriorates Common in lower leg and foot

Epiphyseal Plate Fracture (Growth Plate) Fracture at the growth plate Only in growing kids Common in wrist and ankle

Impacted Fracture A bone fragment is embedded into another bone fragment

Longitudinal fracture – splits or cracks lengthwise Ex: Hard landing after a jump

Spiral Fracture – break is S shaped Common in basketball b/c player plants foot and twists body

Blowout fracture – break in the floor of orbital socket – direct blow to eye

Treatment (what you can do) If compound – Control bleeding Put person in most comfortable position Seek Medical Attention (Get them to doctor or call 9-1-1) Immobilize injury (splint) Will decrease pain Prevent further injury

Elevate (only if is doesn’t cause further pain) Ice Monitor Vital Signs Especially blood circulation

Treatment (What doctors do) Bones heal naturally Determine if bone is in place If in place – put in cast and let heal If it isn’t in place Set it, sometimes requires surgery Healing time average 4 weeks