Fracture: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

Fracture is the term used to describe a break or crack in a bone, either caused by trauma or by an underlying medical condition.

The types of fracture are typically classified by location and may include types such as:-

• Stress Fracture: This type of fracture is caused by repeating physical stress placed on a particular area over time. Commonly, stress fractures occur in running athletes, who place repeated and excessive stress on certain bones while running or playing sports, such as long-distance runners or those who engage in frequent jumping activities (i.e., basketball).
• Compression Fracture: This type of fracture occurs when direct force is applied to the bone, resulting in its collapse. Compression fractures are commonly seen with falls from a height or motor vehicle accidents when direct force causes a break along one part of the bone instead of along its entire length.
• Crushing Injury: This type of fracture occurs when significant force is applied to soft tissue surrounding a bone resulting in pressure that expands and fractures it from the inside outwards; this often includes extra-bone damage due to compression forces generated by crushed soft tissue against the surrounding bone’s surface contours
• Greenstick Fracture: A greenstick fracture occurs when only one side of the bone breaks due to an impact or trauma applied at an angle resulting in bending along that part of the bone before breaking completely through it
• Torus (Buckle) Fracture: Commonly found among children, this type of fracture occurs when direct force bends one side of a weakened/still developing light-boned area causing denting or buckling on both sides beneath where it broke (instead of snapping off like two pieces).
• Pathological Fractures: These are rarely seen under normal circumstances; they occur secondary to underlying illnesses/diseases that may affect bones such as osteoporosis which weakens them making them more susceptible to trauma; these fractures usually occur suddenly but also can happen with minimal contact or impact.

• Causes of fractures can range from falls, blunt force trauma and car accidents to overexertion during physical activity and medical conditions such as osteoporosis that weaken the bones.
• Certain medical conditions, such as cancer, can also put additional stress on bones and greatly increase the risk of fracture.

• Pain: Constant and sharp at site of fracture.
• Swelling: Increase in size and/or warmth at site.
• Tenderness or Sensitivity to Touch at site of fracture.
• Stiffness: Difficulty in movement near fracture.
• Bruising: Discoloration of skin near fracture.
• Deformity or Alignment Discrepancy: Bones may appear out-of-place.

• Strengthen bones through weight-bearing exercise and resistance training.
• Have calcium-rich foods such as milk and yogurt, as well as green leafy vegetables like spinach.
• Ensure adequate Vitamin D intake through supplements or food sources such as salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and fortified milk products.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, which can reduce bone structure over time.
• Beware of activities that may increase your risk for a fracture such as certain sports or risky activities in general; wear protective equipment when necessary and be aware of your surroundings at all times to prevent falls or other accidents that may lead to fractures.

• Physical Examination: The physician will examine the affected area for pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness. X-rays may also be performed to diagnose the severity of the fracture and determine treatment options.
• X-Ray: A type of external imaging test used to create pictures of your bones and other organs inside your body that helps diagnose fractures accurately.
• CT Scan (Computed Tomography): A computer-assisted imaging technique which can help detect stress fractures and provide visualization of the exact fracture site indicating its magnitude and location in three dimensional space.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A test which uses a magnetic field to create detailed images of soft tissues including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and joints that might be involved in a fractured bone.
• Bone Scan: It is a diagnostic imaging test used to detect whether there is any damage or abnormalities in bones which might indicate a fracture. It can also detect infection or tumors in bones around the area where fracture has occurred by using radionuclide tracers on an imaging device such as SPECT scanner or PET scanner.

• Impaired healing: Poor blood supply and/or metabolic deficiencies may lead to inadequate healing.
• Infection: Bacteria can enter the wound during a fracture, leading to infection and delayed healing.
• Compartment syndrome: Pressure buildup resulting from swelling in the area of a fracture can cut off blood flow and cause nerve damage.
• Malunion: A fracture that heals in an abnormal position can cause joint stiffness and arthritis as well as loss of range-of-motion and strength in the affected area.
• Nonunion: The bones may not heal properly if they don’t connect after a fracture, leading to persistent pain, instability or deformity of the affected area.
• Avascular necrosis: Fragments at each end of the broken bone lose their blood supply, causing them to die off or become nonfunctional due to lack of oxygenation or nutrition.

• Begin with rest and application of ice packs on the affected area to reduce swelling and pain.
• Prepare a paste of cow's ghee, sesame oil and turmeric powder. Apply this paste on the fracture site twice a day for good results.
• Boil water with a pinch of camphor in it and make fomentation using this water to reduce pain and help in the healing process of the fracture.
• Drink buttermilk enriched with poppy seeds for several days to strengthen bones quickly and aid in better remineralisation process of bones after fracture cases.
• Make a coriander seed infusion by boiling it with water and applying it as a fomentation over the affected area to reduce pain, swelling, inflammation etc due its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus like yogurt, cheese, almonds, broccoli, and salmon should be included in the diet.
• Protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs and beans help with bone repair.
• Whole grains such as oats and quinoa are also beneficial for bone health.
• Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals needed for healing of bones.
• Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds should also be included in the diet to ensure adequate energy and nutrient intake while recovering from a fracture.

• Avoid hard and crunchy foods such as crackers and chips, as they can cause the fracture or worsen it.
• Do not eat sticky or chewy food such as gum, taffy, and caramels as these can increase pressure on the fracture site.
• Avoid very hot or cold foods, as these may cause pain at the fracture site.
• Do not eat tough meat such as steak and ribs which are difficult to chew and digest when you have a fracture.
• Eating sour fruits like lemons, oranges and limes is also not recommended because of their acidic content which might irritate the wound area.

• Compression Bandage: Applying a compression bandage is essential to give support to weakened bones during the healing process, avoiding further damage.
• Splinting / Casts: Splinting and casting help in keeping bones stable, helping the fractured area heal properly and reducing risk of future fractures.
• Closed Reduction & Immobilization: This involves manually adjusting the fractured bones into their normal position and then securing them in place with a cast, splint or brace.
• Compound Fracture: These fractures involve an open wound and require surgery to reset the bone, clean the wound and close any exposed wounds with sutures or skin grafts.
• Fixation: This surgical technique involves using metal plates, screws and pins to hold the fractured pieces of bone together while they heal.
• Osteotomy: This is a procedure that involves cutting out a segment of broken bone that has not healed after proper alignment with closed reduction techniques have been applied and failed.

It is best to consult an orthopedic surgeon for a fracture.

• Analgesics: These drugs reduce pain, inflammation, and fever associated with fractures. Examples include acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen.
• Muscle Relaxants: Muscle relaxants are used to reduce muscle spasms that occur from bone fractures. Examples include carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, and diazepam.
• NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat fracture-related inflammation and pain relief; examples include celecoxib and naproxen sodium.
• Bisphosphonates: Bisphosphonates can be used to stimulate bone healing in post-fracture healing or to prevent further damage related to osteoporosis or other causes of weak bones; examples include alendronate and risedronate sodium.
• Calcitonin: This hormone is found naturally in the body and is available as a nasal spray or injection for treating osteoporosis-related fractures; examples include Miacalcin nasal spray or Fortical injections (both forms of calcitonin).
• Topical Corticosteroids: Topical corticosteroids are commonly used for treating cases of fractured skin such as blistering burns; examples include hydrocortisone cream or lotion for itching, swelling, redness, dryness, and discoloration caused by a fracture site wound or underlying skin condition after fracture has healed completely.

It typically takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks to recover from a fracture.

A person's age and the type and location of the fracture will determine how quickly the fracture can heal.

In general, a simple fracture can cost anywhere between 5000 - 25000 rupees, while a more complex fracture may range between 15000 - 70000 rupees.Additionally, the cost may also be higher if surgery is required or if additional rehabilitation needs to be undertaken.

• Pain: Fracture treatments can cause pain in the affected bone and surrounding tissues.
• Swelling: Swelling may occur around the affected area due to inflammation or fluid buildup.
• Scarring: Depending on the type of fracture, there may be scarring left after the healing process is complete.
• Nerve Damage: In some cases, a fracture can damage nerves in the affected area, resulting in numbness or loss of sensation or flexibility.
• Infection: If muscles and other tissues are damaged as a result of a fracture, this may increase risk for infection at the site of the injury.
• Delayed Healing: Fractures can take longer to heal if not treated correctly, which can lead to long-term physical limitations or deformity in some cases if left untreated.

If you are suffering from any issues relating to fracture then you should consult a doctor nearby as they can cause complications like 'infection, nerve damage, and reduced mobility' in which treatment courses can range from a few months to years depending on the severity of the situation.