Fracture Care

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a break in the bone that results from a fall, sports injury, or other direct trauma to the body. If the bone punctures the skin, the condition is known as an open or compound fracture. A closed fracture involves a bone break that doesn’t protrude through the skin.

You can also suffer stress fractures if you have an underlying condition like osteoporosis that weakens your bones.

Stress fractures can also result from overuse injuries that are common in sports and certain jobs. Stress fractures are small cracks that develop in bones due to excess pressure.

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

Immediately after an injury that causes a fracture, you could feel intense pain in the break area. Other signs of a fracture include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Tenderness

Gradually you could notice increased difficulty moving the affected area. In severe fractures, you could notice a deformity in the bone under the skin. With an open fracture, you’ll see part of your bone sticking out from the skin and experience bleeding.

In stress fractures, pain and swelling worsen over time until you can no longer move the affected area.

How is a fracture diagnosed?

At Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, the team of orthopedic specialists offers on-site diagnostics, including X-rays and CT scans, that allow your physician to see the inner structures of your bone. These tests make it possible to identify bone breaks or stress fractures that cause pain and other symptoms.

In the event of an open fracture, where your bone is exposed, you should seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going immediately to an emergency room.

If you have osteoporosis, the Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine staff can do a bone density test to evaluate your risk of recurring fractures.

What treatments are available for fractures?

Treatment of a fracture depends on the type of fracture you have. In severe fractures, you will need to immobilize the affected bone with a splint or a cast. Open fractures usually require surgery to reset the bone.

If you have stress fractures, your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine specialist will often recommend additional bone density testing and treatment to address underlying conditions like osteoporosis.

Your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician can also work with you on changes to your diet and lifestyle to decrease stress on your bones, reducing your risk of additional stress fractures.

Don’t delay treatment of a suspected bone fracture. Call the clinic nearest you or book an appointment online today.