The pain after a fracture is unmistakable
Imagine that your body is a machine, and at one point something went wrong: you fell or got hit and suddenly you feel that something has broken in the mechanism. What signals does your body send?
Symptoms of a fracture:
Acute pain: It usually occurs immediately at the moment of injury and increases with movement or pressure on the injury site.
Swelling and bruising: Within a few minutes or hours, swelling appears after a fracture, sometimes hematomas (bruises, bruises) occur.
Deformity: The damaged part of the body may look abnormal — for example, the bone may bulge, forming a bulge or, conversely, a depression, the axis of the limb may become deformed, curved.
Stiffness in movement: Often a fracture is accompanied by an inability to move the damaged part of the body or severe pain when trying to do so.
A specific sound: At the moment of fracture, you can hear a click or a crunch — this is the sound of a bone breaking.
Hypersensitivity: The fracture site becomes very sensitive to touch and warm to the touch.
If you feel unbearable pain after a fall or impact, immediately seek medical help. Fractures are not self-healing.
First aid for a fracture
If a fracture is suspected, you need to act quickly and carefully to minimize damage and help the victim. Here is the procedure:
The zero point is to call an ambulance or take the victim to the emergency room.
1. Assess the situation and calm the victim down
Make sure that there is no threat to life (for example, in the event of an accident or a fall from a height).
Check the victim's pulse. Make sure he's conscious and breathing. If there is no breathing or pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation and call an ambulance.
Try to bring the victim to his senses so that he does not make sudden movements.
If the victim's life is not in danger, do not try to move him.
2. Fix the damaged part of the body
Fracture fixation: If possible, fix the injured limb in the position in which it is located. To do this, you can use improvised means — boards, sticks, fabrics, a transport tire. This is necessary to prevent the displacement of bone fragments and relieve pain.
Do not try to set the bone, especially in the case of open fractures.
3. Apply cold
If possible, apply dry cold (ice or frozen food) to the fracture site, wrapping it in a cloth to avoid frostbite. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
4. Stop the bleeding
If there is bleeding, try to stop it with a clean bandage. Do not attempt to remove visible bone fragments from the wound. In case of severe bleeding, apply a pressure bandage above the wound.
5. Observe the victim
Monitor the condition of the victim, especially if he is in a state of shock. Talk to him so that he does not lose consciousness, provide access to fresh air if possible (open the window).
If the victim is unconscious, monitor his breathing rate and pulse.
When calling an ambulance, you must specify the following information:
The exact address of the accident site
Gender and approximate age of the victim
A brief description of the incident ("fell from a height of 3 meters", "slipped on ice", "cut myself with glass", etc.)
Describe the state of consciousness and breathing (conscious/unconscious; breathing independently/ without breathing)
What are the types of fractures?
According to the integrity of the skin
Open fractures: The bone damages the skin and comes out.
Closed fractures: The bone is broken, but the skin remains intact.
By the presence of an offset
Fractures with displacement: Bone fragments are displaced relative to each other.
Fractures without displacement: Bone fragments are located close to each other.
By the number of bone fragments
Simple fractures: The bone is divided into two fragments.
Comminuted fractures: The bone is broken into three or more fragments.
By the number of damaged bones
Isolated fractures: As a result of the injury, one specific bone was fractured.
Comminuted fractures: The injury resulted in fractures of two or more bones.
Fractures can also be complicated: The injury affects not only the bone, but also the surrounding structures - internal organs and vessels - that suffer as a result of the fracture.
What does an Olymp Clinic traumatologist do with a fracture?
First, the doctor asks how and when the injury occurred, what worries the patient, and conducts a physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis, an X—ray is prescribed - the fastest generally accepted way to see how damaged the bone is, how the fracture line runs and whether there is a displacement of fragments.
A detailed examination is often required, for example, to assess the condition of soft tissues or joints, as well as to visualize complex multi-plane fractures, and in such cases CT or MRI is prescribed.
After diagnosis, the doctor begins to provide first aid. First, the doctor injects painkillers so that the patient does not feel pain during manipulation. Then he fixes the bone with splints, plaster and polymer bandages or special orthoses.
If the displacement of the fragments requires elimination, in some situations the doctor can correct the position of the fragments manually. This process is called closed manual reposition and is performed under anesthesia.
In case of comminuted, open, complicated fractures, surgery may be required. During surgery, the doctor uses metal structures — plates, screws, pins or spokes - to securely fix bone fragments and ensure their fusion in the correct position.
Most modern metal fixers in the future do not require removal, do not affect metal detectors and do not interfere with MRI.
After surgery or during conservative treatment, the doctor prescribes control radiographs to track the absence of displacement and make sure that the bone is properly fused after the fracture.
After the immobilization is stopped, the fixing bandages or orthoses are removed, rehabilitation begins — an important stage of treatment. The principles of movement development are explained to the patient, exercises and physiotherapy are prescribed to restore mobility and strength to the injured limb. The doctor will also give recommendations on exercise and recovery so that the patient can gradually return to daily life.
Recovery time after a fracture
The time of complete rehabilitation after a fracture depends on the location of the fracture, the age of the patient, the general state of health and the chosen treatment method, and on average ranges from several weeks to several months.
How to speed up recovery after a fracture?
A comfortable and habitual diet helps to restore and maintain overall health.
In cases of increased bone fragility, prevention or treatment of osteoporosis under the supervision of a general practitioner. This helps to prevent fractures in the future.
Physiotherapy and therapeutic gymnastics are important components of rehabilitation. After removing the cast or orthosis, start with light, simple exercises to improve mobility according to the recommendations of a rehabilitation doctor. A gradual increase in activity helps to restore functionality and prevent muscle atrophy. During the consultation at Olympus Clinics, the physical therapy doctor will develop an individual exercise program aimed at recovery and prevention of complications.
In addition, take care of your general health. Do not smoke or drink alcohol, as these habits can slow down the healing process.
And if a loved one had a fracture?
Stay close, listen and take care. Mental health is closely related to physical health.
Offer help with household chores: cooking, cleaning, or shopping. This is especially important if a loved one cannot move around or serve themselves on their own.
Also remind you about taking medications, visiting a doctor, and the schedule of rehabilitation activities.