Table of contents:
- What causes spiral fractures?
- Symptoms of a spiral fracture
- How are spiral fractures treated?
- The complications that may occur due to spiral fractures are left untreated
Fractures are a common condition and can be experienced by anyone. But unlike the other two fractures, spiral fractures are the most serious condition with a higher risk of complications. Spiral fractures can occur in long bones such as the bones of the arms, fingers, thighbones, and lower legs. What causes it, and how to deal with it so that it does not end in fatal complications?
What causes spiral fractures?
A spiral fracture occurs when one end of the body is subjected to a difference in pressure on the other part of the body, causing a strong twist and causing the bone to break. The pressure can also cause fractures to break apart from the two pieces.
For example, when the upper body is moving at high speed but the legs cannot move, fractures can occur in the thighbone (tibia).
Spiral fractures are often the result of several things, such as:
- A traffic accident involving the collision of two vehicles
- Supporting the body with your hands or feet when you fall
- Injuries while exercising, in which the hands or feet become entangled
- Domestic violence acts in which the perpetrator deliberately pulls the victim's hand too hard
- Twisted hands or feet when experiencing violence
Symptoms of a spiral fracture
Fractures can occur steadily, where the bone remains in place or open fractures, causing abrasions. Even without an open wound, a fracture can cause intense pain. Some of the other symptoms associated with spiral fractures include:
- The body becomes unstable, especially in parts of the body that have broken bones
- There is swelling of the skin that is pressed by the bone around the broken bone
- Unable to straighten the part of the body that has a broken bone, either leg or arm
- There are marks of blisters accompanied by bruises
- Inflammation of the broken bone
- Decreased or lost pulse at the wrist around the broken bone.
A spiral fracture is a serious condition that needs to be treated by a medical professional immediately. Describing the specifics regarding the symptoms and the chronology that caused the fracture can help in a physical examination and proper diagnosis.
How are spiral fractures treated?
In addition to a physical examination, diagnosis also requires X-rays and examination CT scan. This is necessary to see whether or not there are bone fragments and damage to the joint closest to the broken bone.
The treatment for spiral fractures will depend on the severity of the fracture. If the broken bone remains in place then the medical treatment will focus on keeping the bone from moving out of place for about six weeks.
However, if there is a bone fragment then surgery is needed to adjust the bone and splint into place. The severity of the fracture can change as the treatment process progresses. Apart from that, it is also necessary to treat muscles and blood vessels if the bone fragments cause damage. Bone adjustments may also require that tools that are placed around the broken bone can be temporary or permanent.
The complications that may occur due to spiral fractures are left untreated
Left untreated, spiral fractures can be life threatening. Complications of spiral fractures are related to several other muscle and bone problems that may also arise after the operation of the fracture.
Common complications caused by spiral fractures include:
- Damage to blood vessels and nerve cells
- Blood flow to the legs stops due to inflammation and swelling
- Muscle breakdown
- Osteomyelitis bone infection or other chronic infection of the inner bone
- Sepsis triggered by a serious infection
- Abnormal bone regeneration
- Pulmonary embolism due to damage to blood vessels and platelets entering the channel to the lungs.
