Common Types of Fractures You Need to Know About

Generally, if you have ever had a bone fracture, you truly understand how frustrating the experience can be. Sometimes, you can hear when your bone is cracking, which can be quite shocking. The cracking of your bone is followed by shooting pain, making it quite difficult to move the affected body part. Of importance to note is that if the fracture is left untreated, it results in further damage. Therefore, if you suspect that the cause of your pain may be due to fractures Munster, It is advisable you reach out to a specialist for  diagnosis and treatment, which helps alleviate pain. It would also help if you learned some types of fractures, including:

Greenstick fracture

It is one of the most common fracture types in children. In most cases, it occurs when the bone does not fracture completely, thus leaving the fractured bone bending on one side. Generally, in young children, their bones are still very soft, thus making them not break like those of adults. Usually, the term greenstick is used because the bones of young children are compared to the stick of a green plant which, if broken, bends without separating into two pieces.

Open fractures

They are also called compound fractures and mainly occur when a piece of the fractured bone pierces through your skin, thus making it visible. In other cases, the broken bone can pierce through the inner muscles and tissues without emerging through the outer layer of your skin. When the broken bone has pierced and emerged through the outer layer of the skin, your risk of infection also increases because the fractured bone creates an open wound. This fracture type is considered contaminated, and the patient should receive antibiotics to fight or prevent infection.

Stress fracture

Even though a stress fracture is less common, it can as well be extremely painful. Usually, a stress fracture is described as a hairline crack in your bone with little separation. This type of fracture is common in athletes, especially those who participate in basketball and running, and they also require several months to heal completely. They also occur gradually after months or years of stressing a certain bone.

Comminuted fracture

Usually, a comminuted fracture is discussed as a type of fracture that occurs when your bone breaks into two separate pieces. The bone can also be broken into several small shards in other cases. Such a fracture often occurs following a serious trauma such as a motor accident. Surgery is often recommended following this type of injury to help remove bone shards from your body.

Spiral fractures

Spiral fractures usually occur when a twisting force is exerted on a bone. Spiral fractures are also referred to as torsion fractures, and they commonly affect your ankle but can occur in other parts of your body.

Usually, it is essential to determine which type of fracture you suffer from because different types of fractures are managed and treated differently. Therefore, if you suspect that you have fractured a bone, it is advisable to consult your care provider for early diagnosis and treatment to help alleviate pain and prevent further complications. Suppose you are experiencing increased pain when pressure is applied on the affected body part, swelling, loss of ability to move a body part, or deformity. In that case, you should schedule your appointment at North Point Orthopedics and receive the best treatment for your fracture.