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From trauma to pathology: What are the causes of fractures? Do you know?
A fracture is a medical condition that occurs when the continuity of any bone in the body is partially or completely broken. This can occur from a hard impact or minor trauma from the outside, and the risk of fracture is higher in some people whose bones are weakened by certain medical conditions. In this article, we'll explore the various causes of bone fractures and learn how these conditions affect a person's health.
Types of fractures
Fractures can be classified based on different parameters. For example, according to the nature of external trauma, fractures can be divided into traumatic fractures and pathological fractures. The former is damage due to external forces, while the latter occurs when the bones are weakened by certain diseases, such as osteoporosis or bone cancer.
Traumatic fractures occur in accidents, falls, or training, while pathological fractures often occur during daily activities.
Based on the severity of the fracture, it can also be divided into incomplete fracture and complete fracture. An incomplete fracture, as the name suggests, means that the bone is not completely broken, while a complete fracture means that the bone is completely separated. Additionally, there are comminuted fractures, in which the bone breaks into multiple parts, usually due to a strong external impact.
Symptoms of fracture
Even though there are no pain receptors in the bone tissue, fractures can still cause pain. This is due to the following reasons:
- The periosteum is broken, which houses these receptors.
- Pressure pain from soft tissue edema and hematoma caused by injury.
- The muscles spasm automatically in an attempt to keep the bone fragments in place.
- Injury to nearby structures, such as nerves or blood vessels, can also cause other specific symptoms.
Complications of fractures
Broken bones can lead to serious complications such as myocardial syndrome, which if left untreated may eventually require amputation. In addition, nonunion or malunion may occur, which may affect the patient's quality of life.
Diagnosis and examination of fractures
Doctors usually diagnose a fracture through a medical history and physical examination, and may order radiographs to confirm the diagnosis. If necessary, the doctor may also order CT or MRI to further examine the surrounding joints.
Methods to prevent fractures
Broken bones due to dangerous accidents are relatively common, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. To reduce the risk of high-intensity trauma, it is recommended to reduce distractions while driving, such as avoiding drinking and driving or texting.
For low-intensity trauma, such as falls in the home, it is recommended to add handrails to stairs and keep them well lit to reduce the chance of accidents.
In addition, proper physical training and nutritional intake, such as calcium and vitamin D supplementation, can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
Treatment of fractures
Treatment methods for fractures can be roughly divided into surgical and conservative treatments. Conservative treatment includes analgesia, immobilization of the injured area and other non-surgical procedures. For some more severe fractures, surgery may be the only option.
No matter which method is used, restoring the function and shape of the injured area is the ultimate goal of fracture treatment. Appropriate selection of treatment options can significantly improve a patient's recovery.
Thinking questions
What other measures can be taken to further reduce the risk of fractures and thereby improve our quality of life?
