Broken Bones
Jan 17, 2016
Broken Bones
Bones
• Bones are connective tissue.
• Bones have a soft center that is full of bone marrow, where blood cells are made.
• Bones support the body, help with movement, and offer protection to vital organs.
Types of Bones• There are 5 main types of
bones– Long bones- characterized by
a long shaft, like a femur– Short bones- roughly cubed
shaped and found in wrist– Flat bones-are thin and curved
bones with two hard bones sandwiching a soft tissue, the skull bones
– Irregular bones- bones that do not fit in the above categories, like hip or spine bones
– Sesamoid bones- bones that are embedded in tendons, like the patella
Broken Bones
• A medical term used to describe broken bones is a Bone Fracture
• This is a medical condition where the bone is either cracked or broken
• This condition can be abbreviated with Fx , FRX, of just Fx
What can cause a broken bone?
• Normally, a bone fracture is caused by high amounts of pressure, impact, or stress.
• Some fractures can be caused by different types of diseases, such as:– Osteoporosis
• A disease where the bone is weakened
– A bone cyst• A tumor in the bone that eats away at bone
marrow, causing the bone to be hollow
Types of fractures
• Complete Fracture- where bones completely separate
• Incomplete Fracture- the bones are still partially joined
• A Linear Fracture- a fracture that is parallel to the bone’s axis
• Transverse Fracture- where the fracture is perpendicular from the bone’s axis
Types of Fractures Cont.• Oblique Fracture- A fracture that is diagonal to a bone's
axis. • Compression Fracture-a fracture that usually occurs in
the vertebrae. • Spiral Fracture- a fracture where some of the bone has
been twisted• Comminuted Fracture- a fracture with a bunch of
fragments• Compacted Fracture- a fracture when the bones are driven into each other• Open Fracture- the fracture went through the skin
Classifying Fractures
• Normally, 5 things are taken into account when fractures are classified.– The name of the bone– The location on the bone– The type of fracture– The group/ shape (Like a spiral fracture)– And the subgroups, which looks at things like
the displacement or if there is shortening
Classifying Fractures Cont.
• Neer Classification: Humerus
• Denis Classification: Spine
• Seinsheimer Classification: Femur
• Frykmann Classification: radius & ulna
Symptoms• Depends on where and how the bone was
broken.• Normal Symptoms are:
– Pain– Swelling– Bruising– Deformity– The inability to use the limb
Where can Fractures Occur?
• Just about every bone in the body has been broken
• The most commonly broken bones are:– Wrist– Ankle – Hip- This case happens more
frequently in the elderly
• Fingers and toes are broken frequently too due to sport injuries
Complications of Bone Fractures
• The most common complications are:– Blood loss– Injuries to Organs– Growth/ joint problems– Weakness in some
areas– Shock
First Aid
• Should be given right away.
• Ask the person if they are hurt and in need of help.
• Only move the person if there is immediate danger in the area!!!!
• Moving a person with a head, neck, or spinal injury can cause a greater injury to occur!!!!
First Aid Cont• One thing to do right
away is call 911 if possible.
• Treat wounds that are bleeding right away so there is minimum blood loss.
• Keep the wound as clean as possible
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN ANY BROKEN BONES YOURSELF!!!!
First Aid Cont.
• If the Fracture is in the limb, provide cushion and/ or support, like a pillow.
• At the same time, do not cause more pain or injury by moving the limb.
• It is also possible to make a make-shift splint or sling
First Aid Cont.
• Immobilize limbs by either using a sling for the arm, or tying of the leg above and below the fracture• If possible, raise the leg and put an ice-pack on it to reduce swelling.• Call either 911 or 000 (for an ambulance)• Do not eat or drink anything in case surgery is
necessary.
Diagnoses
• There are three common ways that doctors use to tell if a bone is broken– An X-ray– A MRI– A CT (a computer used program used to make a 3-
D image)
Treatments• One thing most
people do not understand is that broken bones heal by them selves.
• A cast or other medical treatment is used to make sure the bones align properly.
Treatments Cont.
• Treatment include:– Splints– Cast/ body cast– Braces– Pain relief– Traction– Inserted rods,
plates, or screws
Healing
• Healing begins when blood clots start to form on the end of the broken bone
• After a few (2-6) weeks, most cast are removed
• The broken limb must still be held with care
Healing Cont.
• After about 5 weeks, the bone will fuse together– This uses Cartilage
• Or Fibrous cells• This new bone is not
as strong as the first and can break very easily
Healing Cont.
• Most cast or splints can be removed in about two months
• The new bone must still be treated with care for another month
• The temporary bone (callus) will be replaced with a real bone over time.
Healing Cont.
• The bone heals without scars, unlike the skin
• The muscles, however, will be weak because of lack of use
• Physical Therapy may be necessary to rebuild strength
Orthopedics
• This branch in medicine specializes in bone, bone injury, and bone growth
• This branch also deals with surgeries and bone fractures
• Some even deal with certain muscle injuries
• Much training is needed to become an Orthopedic
Orthopedic Training
• Orthopedic surgeons complete about 10 years of postsecondary education.
• This includes getting an undergraduates in medical school
• They must also complete a 5 year session of orthopedic surgeries
What Happens During Surgery?• The doctor will first
initial the arm that is to be operated on
• The patient will them be given an local anesthetic and an IV drip to put them to sleep
• The doctor will then align the bone, insert any necessary rods, and complete the surgery
Orthopedics in Your Area
• There are many orthopedics in the Richmond area– Tuckahoe Orthopedics
and Associates – Orthopedic Research of
Virginia– Richmond Orthopedics– Orthopedic Specialist
Dr. Chester Sharps
• Dr. Chester Sharps is an pediatric orthopedic surgeon that works with Tuckahoe Orthopedics – This means he
specializes in fixing bones in children
• Peoples Magazine has awarded him the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon on the east coast
Fun Facts
• The femur is one of the most difficult bones to break in the human body
• The radius (near the wrist) is probably the most common bone that is broken, mostly because of sports
• Many fingers and toes are broken, but there is no real treatment except for resting the bone
Bibliography
• "Bone Fractures." Better Health Channel. 01 Oct 2008. State of Victoria. 24 Oct 2008 <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bone_fractures?OpenDocument>.
• "Bone Fractures." Wikipedia. 23 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_fracture>.
• "Orthopedic Surgery." Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic>.
• Personal Information/Experience