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Questions and Answers
What type of fracture occurs when a bone is weakened by a medical condition?
What is the main difference between a closed fracture and a compound fracture?
What is the result of a muscle or ligament pulling on a bone?
What is a characteristic of a comminuted fracture?
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What determines the symptoms of a fracture?
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What is a common symptom of a fracture?
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What is used to fully assess the fracture in some cases?
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What is the primary focus of treatment for a fracture?
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What can affect the healing time of a fracture?
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What may be used to fixate the bone in place?
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What is a modifiable risk factor for bone fractures?
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What is essential for the body to absorb calcium?
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What type of exercise can help improve bone density?
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What is a good source of calcium?
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What is a risk factor for bone fractures that can be reduced through lifestyle changes?
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Study Notes
What is a Bone Fracture?
- A bone fracture is a crack or break in a bone.
- It can occur in any bone in the body.
- There are several ways a bone can fracture.
Types of Fractures
- Closed fracture: a break in the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin.
- Compound fracture: a break in the bone that damages surrounding tissue and penetrates the skin.
- Avulsion fracture: a muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it.
- Comminuted fracture: an impact shatters the bone into many pieces.
Symptoms of Fractures
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discolored skin around the affected area
- Protrusion of the affected area at an unusual angle
- Inability to put weight on the injured area
- Inability to move the affected area
- Grating sensation in the affected bone or joint
- Bleeding if it is an open fracture
Diagnosis
- History of trauma
- Physical examination
- X-ray
- In some cases, an MRI or CT scan may be used to fully assess the fracture.
Treatment
- Bone healing typically occurs naturally.
- Treatment focuses on providing the injured bone with the best circumstances for healing and ensuring optimal future function.
- Methods of fixation include:
- Casts or braces
- Metal plates and screws
- Intramedullary nails or rods
- External fixings
Healing and Complications
- Fractures can take several weeks to several months to heal.
- Healing time depends on:
- Severity of the fracture
- Bone affected
- Complications such as infection or blood supply problems
- Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and NSAID use
- Age
Prevention
- A person's diet can affect their risk of fractures.
- Adequate supplies of calcium and vitamin D are necessary for healthy bones.
- Good sources of calcium include:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Good sources of vitamin D include:
- Sunlight
- Eggs
- Oily fish
- Engaging in weight-bearing exercise can help improve muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of bone fractures.
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Description
Learn about bone fractures, including causes, types, and characteristics. A bone fracture is a crack or break in a bone, often resulting from high force impact or stress.
