A bone fracture - or fracture, as the medical term goes - is usually the result of direct or indirect force, for example from an accident or fall. Overloading can also be a cause.
Cause
In addition to an accident or an overload, however, a fracture can also be caused by a disease. The fracture is then usually the result of a pathologically changed bone, for example in the case of bone cysts, osteoporosis or tumor metastases.
Symptoms
The symptoms or complaints depend on the type and extent of the fracture. Sports-related fatigue fractures - i.e. a fracture resulting from a permanent overload of the bone - are usually not as acute as a fresh accident-related fracture. Often, the fracture manifests itself as pain, deformity, or swelling. Restricted motion is also possible. However, not every fracture is perceived as painful, but conversely, contusions can also exhibit these symptoms and be very painful.
Diagnosis
Very sure signs of fractures are a crunching of the fracture site or bone rubbing, pieces of bone protruding from a wound (open fracture), abnormal mobility or shape deviations of the axis malpositions.
The detailed anamnesis also includes an analysis of how the accident occurred. The description of the pain and the consideration of previous injuries or previous damage are also part of this. The attending physician examines the affected area for malpositions and swellings and palpates the area to determine whether there is any pressure pain or whether the muscles are particularly tense. An X-ray confirms the diagnosis and shows where and how exactly the fracture runs and to what extent bone fragments are displaced.
To determine whether nerves, blood vessels or tendons are also injured, blood flow and sensitivity are also checked.
First aid for bone fractures
In the event of a fracture, the first step is to immobilize the affected body part. If the fracture is closed, the painful area can be cooled. However, the ice or cooling pad should not be placed directly on the skin, as this can lead to frostbite.
An open fracture must not be cooled, as there is an increased risk of infection. Instead, the wound should be covered with a germ-free dressing.
Therapy
Therapy usually consists of fixing the fracture fragments in their normal position until the fracture has healed and restoring the function of the bone. This can be done by means of a cast or surgery.
Surgery is usually necessary when there is a complicated fracture. For example, open fractures, closed fractures with extensive associated injuries, fractures with joint involvement, or comminuted fractures (the bone has multiple fractures).
