What is a Fracture ?
A fracture is a break in a bone due to excessive force, stress, or underlying bone weakness (osteoporosis, tumors).
Causes
Fractures can result from sudden trauma, repeated stress, or underlying conditions that weaken the bone, and identifying the cause is key to effective treatment.
*Hover over each box to read more detailed information.*
Trauma
Falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries.
Overuse
Repetitive motion in athletes.
Osteoporosis
Weak bones prone to fractures (common in elderly).
Pathological Fractures
Bone disease (cancer, infection) causing fractures with minimal trauma.
Common trauma-related fractures
Common trauma-related fractures are categorized based on the body region affected—upper limb, lower limb, or spine—to aid accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Upper Limb
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Clavicle (Collarbone): Often caused by falls or direct impact.
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Humerus (Upper Arm): Can occur near the shoulder, mid-arm, or elbow.
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Forearm (Radius & Ulna): Typically from falls on an outstretched hand.
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Wrist (Distal Radius): Common in elderly falls (e.g., Colles' fracture).
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Scaphoid (Wrist Bone): Prone to poor healing due to limited blood supply.
Spine
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Compression Fracture: Often due to osteoporosis or trauma.
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Burst Fracture: From high-energy trauma causing vertebra to break in multiple directions.
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Fracture-Dislocation: Involves both a break and joint dislocation; often severe and unstable.
Lower Limb
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Hip: Common in elderly, often due to osteoporosis or falls.
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Femur (Thigh Bone): A high-impact injury requiring surgery.
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Tibia & Fibula (Lower Leg): Occurs from trauma such as sports injuries or accidents.
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Ankle: Usually from twisting injuries, affecting one or more malleoli.
*Hover over each box to read more detailed information.*
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Management
(Conservative Treatment)
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Immobilization: Casts, splints, or braces to keep the bone in place while healing.
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Closed Reduction: Manual realignment of the bone without surgery.
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Traction: A pulling force used to align bones (less commonly used today).
Surgical Management
(Operative Treatment)
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Open Reduction & Internal Fixation (ORIF): Bones are realigned and fixed using plates, screws, or rods.
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External Fixation: Metal pins and rods outside the body hold bones in place.
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Intramedullary Nailing: A rod is inserted inside the bone (commonly for femur or tibia fractures).
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Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Used when fractures severely damage the joint (hip, knee, shoulder).
Complications
Early Complications:
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Bleeding & Shock: Especially with major fractures like pelvis or femur.
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Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES): Fat enters the bloodstream and affects the lungs.
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Infection: Especially in open fractures.
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Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury: May lead to weakness, numbness, or impaired circulation.
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Compartment Syndrome: Increased pressure within muscles can cause tissue damage (requires emergency surgery).
Late Complications:
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Delayed Union: Fracture heals more slowly than expected.
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Nonunion: Fracture fails to heal completely.
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Malunion: Bone heals in the wrong position.
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Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Joint damage following a fracture leads to arthritis over time.
Knee Replacement (TKR)
Hip Replacement (THR)
Trauma & Fractures
Avascular Necrosis (AVN)
Joint Preservation Surgery
Soft Tissue Preservation
