Broken Bones

Bones Bones are connective tissue. Bones have a soft center that is full of bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Bones support the body, help with movement, and offer protection to vital organs.

Types of Bones There are 5 main types of bones Long bones- characterized by a long shaft, like a femur Short bones- roughly cubed shaped and found in wrist Flat bones-are thin and curved bones with two hard bones sandwiching a soft tissue, the skull bones Irregular bones- bones that do not fit in the above categories, like hip or spine bones Sesamoid bones- bones that are embedded in tendons, like the patella

Broken Bones A medical term used to describe broken bones is a Bone Fracture This is a medical condition where the bone is either cracked or broken This condition can be abbreviated with Fx , FRX, of just Fx

What can cause a broken bone? Normally, a bone fracture is caused by high amounts of pressure, impact, or stress. Some fractures can be caused by different types of diseases, such as: Osteoporosis A disease where the bone is weakened A bone cyst A tumor in the bone that eats away at bone marrow, causing the bone to be hollow

Types of fractures Complete Fracture- where bones completely separate Incomplete Fracture- the bones are still partially joined A Linear Fracture- a fracture that is parallel to the bone’s axis Transverse Fracture- where the fracture is perpendicular from the bone’s axis

Types of Fractures Cont. Oblique Fracture- A fracture that is diagonal to a bone's axis. Compression Fracture-a fracture that usually occurs in the vertebrae. Spiral Fracture- a fracture where some of the bone has been twisted Comminuted Fracture- a fracture with a bunch of fragments Compacted Fracture- a fracture when the bones are driven into each other Open Fracture- the fracture went through the skin

Classifying Fractures Normally, 5 things are taken into account when fractures are classified. The name of the bone The location on the bone The type of fracture The group/ shape (Like a spiral fracture) And the subgroups, which looks at things like the displacement or if there is shortening

Classifying Fractures Cont. Neer Classification: Humerus Denis Classification: Spine Seinsheimer Classification: Femur Frykmann Classification: radius & ulna

Symptoms Depends on where and how the bone was broken. Normal Symptoms are: Pain Swelling Bruising Deformity The inability to use the limb

Where can Fractures Occur? Just about every bone in the body has been broken The most commonly broken bones are: Wrist Ankle Hip- This case happens more frequently in the elderly Fingers and toes are broken frequently too due to sport injuries

Complications of Bone Fractures The most common complications are: Blood loss Injuries to Organs Growth/ joint problems Weakness in some areas Shock

First Aid Should be given right away. Ask the person if they are hurt and in need of help. Only move the person if there is immediate danger in the area!!!! Moving a person with a head, neck, or spinal injury can cause a greater injury to occur!!!!

First Aid Cont One thing to do right away is call 911 if possible. Treat wounds that are bleeding right away so there is minimum blood loss. Keep the wound as clean as possible DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN ANY BROKEN BONES YOURSELF!!!!

First Aid Cont. If the Fracture is in the limb, provide cushion and/ or support, like a pillow. At the same time, do not cause more pain or injury by moving the limb. It is also possible to make a make-shift splint or sling

First Aid Cont. Immobilize limbs by either using a sling for the arm, or tying of the leg above and below the fracture If possible, raise the leg and put an ice-pack on it to reduce swelling. Call either 911 or 000 (for an ambulance) Do not eat or drink anything in case surgery is necessary.

Diagnoses There are three common ways that doctors use to tell if a bone is broken An X-ray A MRI A CT (a computer used program used to make a 3-D image)

Treatments One thing most people do not understand is that broken bones heal by them selves. A cast or other medical treatment is used to make sure the bones align properly.

Treatments Cont. Treatment include: Splints Cast/ body cast Braces Pain relief Traction Inserted rods, plates, or screws

Healing Healing begins when blood clots start to form on the end of the broken bone After a few (2-6) weeks, most cast are removed The broken limb must still be held with care

Healing Cont. After about 5 weeks, the bone will fuse together This uses Cartilage Or Fibrous cells This new bone is not as strong as the first and can break very easily

Healing Cont. Most cast or splints can be removed in about two months The new bone must still be treated with care for another month The temporary bone (callus) will be replaced with a real bone over time.

Healing Cont. The bone heals without scars, unlike the skin The muscles, however, will be weak because of lack of use Physical Therapy may be necessary to rebuild strength

Orthopedics This branch in medicine specializes in bone, bone injury, and bone growth This branch also deals with surgeries and bone fractures Some even deal with certain muscle injuries Much training is needed to become an Orthopedic

Orthopedic Training Orthopedic surgeons complete about 10 years of postsecondary education. This includes getting an undergraduates in medical school They must also complete a 5 year session of orthopedic surgeries

What Happens During Surgery? The doctor will first initial the arm that is to be operated on The patient will them be given an local anesthetic and an IV drip to put them to sleep The doctor will then align the bone, insert any necessary rods, and complete the surgery

Orthopedics in Your Area There are many orthopedics in the Richmond area Tuckahoe Orthopedics and Associates Orthopedic Research of Virginia Richmond Orthopedics Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Chester Sharps Dr. Chester Sharps is an pediatric orthopedic surgeon that works with Tuckahoe Orthopedics This means he specializes in fixing bones in children Peoples Magazine has awarded him the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon on the east coast

Fun Facts The femur is one of the most difficult bones to break in the human body The radius (near the wrist) is probably the most common bone that is broken, mostly because of sports Many fingers and toes are broken, but there is no real treatment except for resting the bone

Bibliography "Bone Fractures." Better Health Channel. 01 Oct 2008. State of Victoria. 24 Oct 2008 <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bone_fractures?OpenDocument>. "Bone Fractures." Wikipedia. 23 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_fracture>. "Orthopedic Surgery." Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic>. Personal Information/Experience