Fractures
Bones can break, or fracture, in any number of different ways, and treatment for fractured bones varies depending on the severity, location, and type of break. Most broken bones are caused by an injury, such as a fall or impact, although overuse can cause stress fractures, particularly in athletes. A thinning of the bone called osteoporosis can cause bones to become brittle and to break easily, particularly in older patients.
Fractures are classified and treated differently based on the nature of the break. In a “simple fracture,” the bone breaks but the skin remains intact; in a “compound fracture,” a piece of the bone pierces the skin.
Fractures are treated by realigning the broken segments of the bone and immobilizing the area until the bone can heal. When possible the bone is immobilized with casts or splints, but sometimes pins or screws are surgically implanted to keep the parts of the bone from shifting. Recovery from a broken bone can take from several weeks to several months, and patients typically need a period of rehabilitation after the cast comes off, to regain full strength and flexibility.
For more more in-depth information, please visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web site.