Summer BanksFRACTURE
August 14th 2006 08:48
FRACTURE :
A fracture is a break in a bone or cartilage. Among the possible consequences of a fracture are infection and damage to nearby nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs.
Causes :
Most often, fractures are caused by direct stress, such as a blow from a heavy object, or a severe strain, such as a violent twist. They can, however, be the result of an indirect cause. A fall on a hand, for example, may result in a fracture of the collarbone. There are also pathologic fractures, in which disease softens the bone, making it more vulnerable to a break.
Types :
There are many different types of fractures, among them are the following:
Closed fracture -- one in which the skin is not broken
Comminuted fracture -- one in which the bone is splintered into several pieces
Complicated fracture -- one in which significant injury has been done to internal organs, blood vessels, or nerves
Greenstick fracture -- one in which only one side of the bone is broken and the bone is not severed
Impacted fracture -- one in which the ends or fragments of bone are jammed together
Open fracture -- one in which one or more of the broken ends of the bone actually pierce the skin
Stress fracture -- one in which there is a tiny crack (or cracks) in a bone; the crack causes severe pain, but it may be un-detectable by conventional X-ray. This type of fracture is commonly seen in the small bones of the foot due to injuries relating to athletic activity.
Those at Risk
Fractures are common among children and the elderly. Children have relatively soft, elastic bones. Because of this elasticity, however, breaks are often incomplete, affecting only one side of the bone. Elderly people tend to have brittle bones that break easily; for them, hip fractures are particularly common injuries.
Symptoms :
The symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, loss of strength, abnormal movement, and a grating sound that results from pieces of broken bone rubbing together. An individual who has suffered a severe fracture may go into shock, especially if large amounts of blood have been lost.
Treatment :
Bone fractures are treated by closed (nonsurgical) or open (surgical) reduction. Reduction is a procedure in which the broken bone is manipulated (for example, by pulling or bending) so that its ends will be in the best position for healing. Most fractures are treated through closed reduction. However, open reduction may be necessary when damage to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or other internal parts is severe or extensive.
In open reduction, the pieces of bone are often held together by pins, metal plates, or rods; some are left in the body permanently, and others are removed after healing has taken place.
A fracture is a break in a bone or cartilage. Among the possible consequences of a fracture are infection and damage to nearby nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs.
Causes :
Most often, fractures are caused by direct stress, such as a blow from a heavy object, or a severe strain, such as a violent twist. They can, however, be the result of an indirect cause. A fall on a hand, for example, may result in a fracture of the collarbone. There are also pathologic fractures, in which disease softens the bone, making it more vulnerable to a break.
Types :
There are many different types of fractures, among them are the following:
Closed fracture -- one in which the skin is not broken
Comminuted fracture -- one in which the bone is splintered into several pieces
Complicated fracture -- one in which significant injury has been done to internal organs, blood vessels, or nerves
Greenstick fracture -- one in which only one side of the bone is broken and the bone is not severed
Impacted fracture -- one in which the ends or fragments of bone are jammed together
Open fracture -- one in which one or more of the broken ends of the bone actually pierce the skin
Stress fracture -- one in which there is a tiny crack (or cracks) in a bone; the crack causes severe pain, but it may be un-detectable by conventional X-ray. This type of fracture is commonly seen in the small bones of the foot due to injuries relating to athletic activity.
Those at Risk
Fractures are common among children and the elderly. Children have relatively soft, elastic bones. Because of this elasticity, however, breaks are often incomplete, affecting only one side of the bone. Elderly people tend to have brittle bones that break easily; for them, hip fractures are particularly common injuries.
Symptoms :
The symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, loss of strength, abnormal movement, and a grating sound that results from pieces of broken bone rubbing together. An individual who has suffered a severe fracture may go into shock, especially if large amounts of blood have been lost.
Treatment :
Bone fractures are treated by closed (nonsurgical) or open (surgical) reduction. Reduction is a procedure in which the broken bone is manipulated (for example, by pulling or bending) so that its ends will be in the best position for healing. Most fractures are treated through closed reduction. However, open reduction may be necessary when damage to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or other internal parts is severe or extensive.
In open reduction, the pieces of bone are often held together by pins, metal plates, or rods; some are left in the body permanently, and others are removed after healing has taken place.
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