bone fractures

Introduction A bone fracture is a common injury that can affect individuals of any age. However, if you are over the age of 50 and have a history of osteoporosis in your family, you should be extra careful. You should get bone density screenings done based on the advice of your healthcare providers. Here is more insight into the different types of bone fractures and how they can be treated. What is a bone fracture? 'Fracture' is a medical term for a broken bone resulting from trauma like accidents or sports injuries. Certain medical conditions and repetitive force can increase the risk of different types of fractures. If the bone breaks, you will have to get surgery to repair it. In case of a minor fracture, you may need to keep the injured site in a splint, brace, sling, or cast to let the bone heal. The time required for the bone to recover completely will depend on the bone that is fractured, where the fracture is, as well as the cause of the fracture. Knowing the different terms used will help you better understand this condition. Bone fracture vs break A bone fracture and a broken bone is the same injury and can be used interchangeably. Bone fracture vs bone bruise A bone fracture and a bone bruise are painful injuries caused by solid forces like a vehicular accident, fall, or sports injury. However, the difference lies in how much damage is caused. Your bone is a living tissue that gets bruised easily like your skin, although it takes much more force to bruise the bone. If something hits your bones with a lot of force, it can bleed without being broken; the blood trapped beneath the surface after an injury is called a bone bruise. A bone fracture is a clear break in the bone in at least one place. Fractures are much more severe and take longer to heal than bone bruises. Bone fractures vs sprains A sprain is a common sports injury. Unlike a fracture, a sprain does not happen to the bone. It usually occurs when a ligament connecting your bones gets stretched or torn. You can have a fracture and a sprain during the same injury, especially if the injured site is a joint like an elbow or knee. Types of bone fractures When diagnosing your fracture, the doctor will look at three main factors to identify the type of fracture. These include the following: Fractures diagnosed by the pattern or shape This type of fracture is classified based on the direction in which the fracture occurs; for example, a straight line across the bone. It is also classified according to the shape of the fracture, e.g., a single line break. Fractures diagnosed by cause Stress fractures, Avulsion fractures, and buckle fractures are all examples of this kind of fracture. Fracture by location This type of fracture is specific to the area in the body where the fracture occurs. Sometimes, a location fracture can also fall under one of the above-mentioned categories. Elbow fractures, facial fractures, rib fractures, shoulder fractures, and compression fractures are common examples of location-based fractures. Open vs closed fractures In the case of an open fracture, your bone breaks through your skin. this type of fracture is also called a compound fracture. It takes longer to heal and has a high risk of developing infections and other complications. A closed fracture is a severe injury, but the bone does not cut through the skin. Displaced and nondisplaced fractures A displaced fracture is one in which your bone has moved enough to cause a gap at the site of the break. On the other hand, a nondisplaced fracture is still a broken bone, but the pieces haven't moved too much and lost their alignment. Symptoms of bone fractures Swelling Pain Inability to move the part of your body you usually can Tenderness Discolouration or bruising A bump or deformity that was not otherwise present Causes of bone fractures Trauma can cause bones to fracture. Here are some common examples of such situations: Falls Car or bike accidents Sports injuries Stress fractures, also known as hairline fractures, are usually caused due to repetitive forces like repeating the same motion or movement constantly over some time. This can lead to overuse syndrome in your arms or legs. Treatment for bone fractures The treatment you must undergo for the bone fracture depends on the fracture type and the damage's cause. Here are a few common treatments for fractures: Immobilisation If you have a mild fracture or if the bone has not moved away from its place, you will only need a cast or a splint to help the bone heal. Splints are used for minor features. The bone usually takes three to four weeks to heal. On the other hand, if your injury is severe enough to require a cast, the area will have to remain immobilised for around six to eight weeks. Closed reduction For a more severe fracture, your bones must be set or realigned in a closed reduction process. It can be non-surgical or surgical. Surgery Depending on the type and location of the fracture, you may need surgery to fix it. These surgeries can be carried out using a few different techniques: Internal fixation External fixation Arthroplasty Bone grafting Certain medications may also be prescribed to reduce the pain associated with bone fractures. However, you must consult your doctor before taking over-the-counter painkillers. Book a Bone Test Conclusion Although bone fractures are a common occurrence, it is a terrifying experience for anyone who has to experience it. Talking to your healthcare provider about what to expect during the treatment or surgery for the fracture will help make this experience a little easier. Regular health checkups are essential to ensure you catch any underlying condition at an early stage. Metropolis Labs provides expert services in at-home testing and healthcare packages that benefit individuals of all ages.

Bones support your body, protect your organs, and help you move. As you age, they undergo wear and tear and may suffer from bone diseases or lose their density. Caring for your bone health is, therefore, essential for your overall health. Bone diseases or bone conditions occur due to a faulty diet, lack of nutrition, environmental factors, genetics, and infections. These can affect the flexibility of your body and cause other health conditions as well. Per statistics, 61 million people in India have osteoporosis, one of the most prevalent bone diseases that affect the quality and strength of your bones. Here, let us look at the different types of bone diseases, bone disease symptoms, and their treatments. Types of bone diseases 1. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to become weak and easily breakable. It increases the risk of fractures and changes in bone structure due to weakness. Symptoms: Osteoporosis has no symptoms in the early stages. However, over time, you may experience: Back pain due to fracture or collapsed vertebra Bent posture Bones that break very easily 2. Osteopenia: Osteopenia involves a loss of bone mineral density that leads to weak bones. It is common in people above 50. Symptoms: Osteopenia causes no symptoms. However, it increases the chances of other bone conditions, such as osteoporosis. 3. Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI): It is a rare disorder of connective tissues. It is also called brittle bone disease. It occurs due to an abnormality in the processing of type 1 collagen. Collagen is essential for strong bones and building tendons. However, some changes in the genes can cause collagen defects leading to OI. OI decreases bone density and increases your chances of fractures. Symptoms: Bone pain Bone deformity Weak bones Loose joints Weak muscles Curved spine Weak teeth 4. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis. It causes joint pain, inflammation and stiffness of joints. It worsens with time and causes the wearing away of the bone in the joint. Symptoms: Difficulty in movement Pain and stiffness due to lack of movement Swelling Warm and tender joints Loss of muscle mass Inflammation to the tissue surrounding the joints 5. Osteomalacia: Osteomalacia is a condition that causes the bones to soften. It occurs due to vitamin D deficiency. In rare cases, it occurs due to a kidney or digestive disorder. Symptoms: Pain in the bones and hips Muscle weakness Bone fractures Difficulty walking 6. Osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis is the inflammation of the bone caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. It causes swelling of the bone marrow and the soft tissues inside. Symptoms: Fever Difficulty in movement Nausea Sweating or shivering Irritability Loss of appetite Low back pain Pus formation 7. Fibrous Dysplasia: Fibrous dysplasia is a rare bone condition. Here, the healthy bone is replaced by fibrous bone-like tissue. This increases the risk of fractures. It affects any area in the body. Its symptoms are mild to severe. Symptoms: Exhaustion Pain and weakness Fractures Bone deformity 8. Paget's Disease: This common bone disease occurs when the body absorbs the old bone and forms an abnormal new one. It causes weak bones, bone pain, arthritis, deformities and fractures. Symptoms: Swollen joints Joint pain Redness and tenderness of the skin in the affected area 9. Osteonecrosis: Osteonecrosis occurs when blood flow to a part of the bone is disrupted. This leads to the death of the bone tissue. It affects the hips, knees, and shoulders. It is a painful condition that can affect your mobility. Symptoms: Spasmodic pain Joint pain and stiffness Limited mobility Limping 10. Rickets: Rickets is a bone condition often observed in children. It is caused due to vitamin D deficiency that may occur from improper nutrition or lack of exposure to sunlight. It causes the bones to become soft and weak. Symptoms: Bone pain Tenderness Bowed legs Weak muscles Bones that break easily Unusually shaped ribs Big abdomen or forehead Wide joints in wrists and elbows Dental cavities 11. Bone tumours Bone tumours occur due to uncontrolled cells growing inside the bone. These tumours can be cancerous or noncancerous. Symptoms: Bone pain Swelling Tenderness Weak bones Unexplained weight loss Autoimmune conditions that may cause bone diseases Bone diseases can also occur due to autoimmune diseases where the body's immune system attacks the healthy cells. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): When the immune system attacks healthy cells in RA, it increases the risk of bone loss and fractures. Type 1 diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis Celiac disease: If left untreated, this condition can cause difficulty absorbing calcium and increase the risk of bone diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): As this condition causes inflammation in many parts of the body, it increases the risk of fractures and bone loss. Treatment for bone diseases Bone diseases are diagnosed with the help of: X-rays MRI Scans Blood tests Biopsy Your doctor will prescribe a treatment based on the type of bone disease and its severity. The goal of the treatment is to stop bone loss, strengthen the bones and prevent fractures. Treatment for bone diseases typically includes: Lifestyle changes Physical activity Dietary changes to include vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones Medications to prevent the breakdown of the bones, improve bone mass and prevent further fractures Quitting smoking Certain bone conditions, such as osteonecrosis and bone tumour may require surgery to preserve the joints and remove the tumour. Conditions like OI need treatments to help control symptoms and improve bone mass and muscle strength. These include medications to strengthen the bones, physical therapy, fracture care, braces for support and surgery to correct bone deformities. Summing up If you experience bone pain or fracture, please consult your doctor at the earliest. If you observe changes in your posture, weight, and height or have difficulty moving, consulting a doctor will ensure a timely diagnosis of any bone disease you may have. Your doctor may advise blood tests to check blood calcium levels, vitamin D levels or alkaline phosphatase to diagnose certain bone diseases. You may be prescribed medications to prevent bone breakdown, physiotherapy, physical exercise and dietary changes to improve and maintain your bone health. Always trust a certified pathology laboratory like Metropolis Labs to run your blood tests. They provide several tests related to bone health. They also offer a full-body check-up package that consists of tests for bone health, too.