Fracture (fracture): symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of a fracture

What is a fracture or fracture?

The definition of a fracture (fracture) or fracture is a condition when a bone becomes broken, cracked, or breaks so that it changes the shape of the bone. This condition can occur due to strong pressure on the bones or due to a weakened bone condition, such as osteoporosis.

A fractured or fractured bone can occur in any area of the body. However, these cases are more common in several parts of the body, such as broken collarbones or shoulders, fractures of the hands (including wrists and arms), leg fractures (including legs and ankles), spinal fractures, and hip fractures.

How common is this condition?

Fracture is a condition that often occurs and can be experienced by anyone and at any age due to injury or accident. However, this condition is also common in the elderly because aging factors increase the risk of osteoporosis.

From data from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, fractures due to bone fragility occur in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in the world who are over 50 years old. It is estimated, millions of people in the world experience fractures due to bone fragility every year.

You can prevent fractures by reducing the risk factors that may cause them. Consult with your doctor for more information.

Types of fractures

Fractures or fractures come in many types. Broadly speaking, some of the most common types of fractures are:

An open fracture, which is when a broken bone breaks through the skin so that it can be seen.
Closed fracture, which is when a bone breaks, but does not penetrate the skin or the skin is still intact.
Partial fracture, which is a condition when the bone is broken completely or incompletely.
Complete fracture, which is when a bone is broken completely or completely, so that the bone is divided into two or more parts.

Of the four major types, fractures are divided into several types. Each type of fracture requires different techniques and procedures to repair it. Consult with your doctor about how to handle it right according to your condition.

Signs & symptoms of fracture

Fracture signs and symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the type, location, and severity experienced. But in general, the symptoms of a broken bone or fracture that are often felt are:

Pain or pain that is generally severe in the area of the bone that has fractured.
Swelling in the area of the bone that has fractured.
Deformity or deformity that is clearly visible in the area of the body that has the fracture.
Difficulty moving the body part in the area of the broken bone.
Redness, bruising, and warmth on the skin around the area of the body that has fractured.
Numbness and tingling in the affected area of the body.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience the signs and symptoms mentioned above, it is best if you consult your doctor. You also need emergency care if you have an open type of fracture, which puts you at greater risk of infection.

Everyone's body reacts in different ways. Always consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment according to your condition.

Causes & risk factors for fractures

Fractures occur due to pressure or strong impact to the bone, which exceeds the strength of the bone itself. This is generally the result of an injury, such as a fall, accident, or a strong direct impact to an area of the body, or repetitive motion that causes a bone to fracture.

Not only that, the cause of the fracture can also be a weak bone condition. Generally this is caused by certain diseases or conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis or bone cancer.

What are the factors that increase the risk of fracture?

Although it can happen to anyone, there are several factors that increase a person's risk of fracture disease. Some of the risk factors for fractures are:

Older age or over 50 years of age.
Female.
Smoking habit.
Drink alcohol.
Take corticosteroid drugs.
Lack of nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D.
Not actively moving or exercising.
There is a history of rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism.
Chronic disorders, such as Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the intestines).
Have had a previous fracture.
Family history, especially of fractures that occur in the pelvis.

Fracture complications

If not treated immediately, fractures can cause complications that will further affect your health. These complications can vary depending on the area of the bone that is fractured or broken.

In general, complications from a fracture that may occur if left untreated are:

Malunion

Malunion is a condition that occurs when the bones have healed and have fused together, but are not positioned or shifting on their own.

Infection

If there is a cut on the skin or an open fracture, bacteria can enter and infect the bone or bone marrow. In this condition, generally the patient will be given antibiotics and need to be hospitalized.

Compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome is a condition when there is increased pressure in closed parts of the body (compartments) that cut off blood supply to muscles and nerves. This condition is generally caused by bleeding and a hematoma (a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel) around the broken bone.

Avascular necrosis

If the fracture is not treated promptly, the bone can lose its essential blood supply. In this condition, bone tissue death can occur or it is called avascular necrosis.

Haemarthrosis

A condition when bleeding into the joint space causes the joint to become swollen.

Blood clotting

As a result of a fracture that is not treated promptly, blood clots in the blood vessels can occur. As for this condition it can affect the whole body.

Injury to surrounding organs or tissues

If the fracture is not treated promptly, organs or tissues around the bone can be injured. For example, the brain can be injured or damaged due to a fracture of the skull, organs in the chest can be damaged if a rib is fractured, and so on.

Stunted bone growth

In a child who is still growing, fractures can affect both ends of the bone. This condition can cause disruption of bone growth and increase the risk of bone deformities in the future.

Diagnosis & treatment of fractures

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

To diagnose a fracture, your doctor will ask you about any medical conditions you have, including if you have an injury or accident, as well as any symptoms you have. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination and several other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The following are some of the tests you may need to undergo to help your doctor determine the diagnosis of a fracture or fracture:

X-ray

This test produces images of your internal tissues, bones, and organs, so that they can show any changes, such as cracks or fractures, in your bones.

This test uses magnets, radio frequency, and a computer to produce more detailed images of body structures. Generally, MRI is used for a smaller type of fracture called a stress fracture.

CT scan

This test procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed images of bones, muscles, fat and organs.

Bone scan

Bone scan test (bone scan) can detect fractures and other abnormal conditions in the bone, which may not be seen on X-rays or other imaging tests.

How to treat fractures?

Treatment for fractures generally aims to restore the bone fragment to its original place, control pain, give the bone time to heal, prevent complications, and restore the affected body function to normal.

The type of treatment given varies from person to person, depending on the type of fracture, the location of the affected bone, and the patient's overall condition. Based on this, some of the medications that are generally given to treat fractures are:

Plaster cast or fiberglassto keep the ends of the broken bones in the right position and reduce movement, while the bones are healing.
The use of traction to re-stabilize the bone and stretch the muscles and tendons around the fractured bone.
Medicines to relieve pain.
Surgery or fracture surgery to put the bones back into place.
Physiotherapy to help restore muscle strength and movement function in the affected area of the body.

As for open fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin and can bleed, emergency help is needed to prevent infection and shock.

Home remedies for fractures

Fractures can heal within a few weeks or months of receiving medical treatment. To help with the healing process, you can do the following home remedies or lifestyle changes:

Rest as much of the fractured area of bone as possible.
Avoid lifting heavy weights or driving until the broken or fractured bone has healed.
Take care of the cast with care, such as not getting it wet or avoiding direct heat when the cast is not in place.
Fulfill the nutrients that help your bones heal, such as vitamin D or foods for other fracture sufferers.
Quit smoking.
When recovered, exercise exercises in areas of the body that experience fractures, to help restore muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility. Consult your doctor or physiotherapy regarding this.

Prevention of fractures

Fractures generally occur due to injuries from falls or accidents, and osteoporosis. Therefore, to prevent fractures, you need to avoid these causes and avoid various factors that can increase the risk.

Steps to prevent fractures

Here are some steps you can practice:

Creating a safe home for you and your family, especially children. For example, installing railings on stairs so they don't fall, installing grilles on windows, or removing wires from the floor.
Using non-slip rugs in the house.
Use protective equipment when doing physical activity outside the home or playing sports. For example, helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, or wrist and foot protectors, when cycling.
Ensure good lighting in your home and around your house when it's dark.
Wearing rubber soled shoes.
Pay attention to your surroundings when walking.
Eating a nutritionally balanced diet, especially vitamin D and calcium to strengthen bones.
Doing regular exercise to strengthen bones, including weight training.
Quit smoking.
Avoiding alcohol consumption.
Consult a doctor if you are at risk for osteoporosis.