Bones have to withstand very high loads. This is why they are among the hardest and most resistant parts of the body. Nevertheless, bones can break. Doctors distinguish between different types of broken bones or fractures. Treatment always depends on the individual case.
Here you will find further information and selected doctors who treat bone fractures.
A bone fracture is defined as damage to the bony structures and its progression. In medical terms, this is also known as a fracture.
Causes of a broken bone can be
can be the cause.
The video shows how the human skeleton is structured from the little toe to the skull:
A bone does not always have to break through completely - it can also just be broken. There are also
A distinction should be made here between the location and type of bone fracture. In principle, any bone in the body can be broken, from the skull to the toe. The extremities, i.e. arms and legs, are most frequently affected
Medically, the following types of fracture can also be distinguished:
In open fractures, the bone is exposed due to significant soft tissue damage and is visible from the outside. Open fractures have a very high risk of infection.
Transverse fractures are characterized by an almost horizontal fracture line. These fractures are often stable and only slightly displaced or not displaced at all. They occur more frequently in the area of the long tubular bones (e.g. femur).
Fatigue fractures are a special type of fracture, as they are not caused by acute trauma, but chronically and due to prolonged pressure. A typical example of this is the so-called "march fracture", in which one or more foot bones break after a long march or run (marathon).
Oblique fractures are also most frequently observed in the extremities and result from twisting trauma. This is why it is often referred to as a torsion fracture (torsion = twisting).
The characteristic feature of a compression fracture is that it occurs when the bone is compressed. It is typically observed in the area of the spine.
Avulsion fractures mainly affect the bony attachments of muscles; due to the upright posture of humans and the particular strain on the legs, they occur more frequently in the area of the lower extremities. Examples are the rupture of the Achilles tendon on the heel bone or the patellar tendon on the kneecap.
Flexion fractures affect the long bones (also known as long bones), as a lever effect can occur here. These include fractures of the upper and lower arm, but also of the thigh and lower leg.
A special type of bending fracture can occur in children up to 8 years of age. It is also known as a greenstick fracture or toddler fracture. Children's bones are still relatively flexible, but have a firm and elastic periosteum. The bending mechanism causes the bone to break while the periosteum is still intact. It is comparable to a young branch (green wood) that you try to break off by bending it. The branch often breaks, but the skin of the branch remains intact for a long time.
Broken bones in children, especially at the youngest age, should be treated by pediatricians or pediatric surgeons. They usually heal quickly and without complications.
Illustration of different types of bone fractures © bilderzwerg / Fotolia
The severity of the injury varies depending on the location of the fracture in the body. Different specialized medical fields may also be responsible.
The femur is considered to be very strong and stable, so that great forces are required to cause a fracture.
In the case of small bones - such as the toe - fractures can occur even with relatively unspectacular trauma.
The wrist(scaphoid fracture or distal radius fracture) or the foot(foot fracture or ankle fracture) can also break.
The most common upper arm and shoulder girdle injury is the humeral head fracture. This is a fracture of the humeral head, which is typically observed when falling on the outstretched hand - in the sense of a compression fracture. As the humeral head is a very strong and stable bone, a so-called "pathological" fracture must also be considered, particularly in older people. This refers to the fracture of a previously damaged bone, e.g. due to a bone tumor itself or metastases of another tumor.
A jaw fracture is extremely painful and, due to the facial structures, a case for oral and maxillofacial surgery(maxillofacialsurgery).
A kneecap fracture (so-called patella fracture) is often the result of an accident or fall.
A vertebral fracture can be dangerous due to its proximity to the spinal cord - spinal surgeons then treat the patient.
Various symptoms can occur with a bone fracture. If there is a "dent" or misalignment in the injured region, it can be assumed that the bone has been damaged.
In the case of an open fracture, the bone protrudes from the skin. A fracture is often associated with severe pain, which is also accompanied by severe swelling. This swelling is all the more severe if, in addition to the bone, other structures in the affected area have also been damaged by trauma.
If there is a capsule injury, for example, the pain can also be severe and accompanied by swelling. If only the capsule is injured, the pain may be even more severe than with a pure bone fracture.
For this reason, you should definitely have an injury examined by a specialist - usually a specialist in orthopaedics or trauma surgery. This is often the only way to recognize or rule out a bone fracture.
Before a fracture can be treated, a reliable diagnosis must first be made. In addition to clinical tests, this is usually done by X-ray or computer tomography(CT). Depending on the type of fracture, different measures must be taken.
There are two types of treatment: conservative and surgical.
Conservative therapy is usually carried out for stable and non-displaced fractures, with the focus on stabilization and rest. Treatment with medication and "first aid" through cooling can alleviate swelling and pain. A fracture is often stabilized using a splint or plaster cast.
In the case of displaced (= dislocated) fractures, the fracture site must be surgically straightened before a plaster cast can be applied for stabilization. This often requires anesthesia.
In the case of displaced fractures that cannot be stabilized after straightening the bone ends, the fracture site should be fixed using screws, wires or metal plates. In surgery, this is also known as osteosynthesis.
Screws and plate fixation of a fracture in the wrist © Whyona / Fotolia
Quick action is required in the case of an open fracture. Germs and bacteria can penetrate through the damaged skin. In the worst case, this can lead to further illnesses - for example sepsis (blood poisoning). For this reason, the wound is often not closed immediately, but treated with special dressings (sponges and negative pressure therapy). These dressings usually have to be changed several times and the wound assessed. If the bone heals well and the wound shows no signs of infection, the wound can be closed. However, this takes several weeks and significantly restricts the patient's mobility.
Prolonged rest after a fracture usually causes the muscles to break down. The patient must gradually rebuild them later through exercises. Strength building and coordination training are also the focus of physiotherapeutic treatment, especially for competitive athletes.
There is basically no definite answer to this question, as the healing time depends on various factors.
For example, a fracture of the collarbone can heal in three to four weeks with conservative treatment. A femur fracture, on the other hand, can take several months to heal.
The question of whether a fracture is treated conservatively or surgically also has an influence on the healing time. Finally, wound healing must be taken into account in the case of surgery. Last but not least, the patient's supportive cooperation (compliance) is essential.
The following points are decisive for the duration of healing:
Medication has no influence on the healing time, but can provide valuable services in pain therapy. They are particularly useful in the initial period after a fracture.
A healthy diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake can increase the resilience of the bones. It also makes an important contribution to their supply of essential building blocks.
