When a force applied to a bone is more than the bone can withstand, a shattered bone or bone fracture results. This affects the bone's strength and structure, causing pain, loss of function, and occasionally bleeding and damage nearby.
How can you tell your one is fractured?
Any of the following symptoms indicate that your bone is likely fractured.
Immense Pain
Deformity in severe cases
Swelling or tenderness, around the injury site
Tingling sensation or numbness
Difficulty in moving the limb or fractured area
Common types of fractures include:
Stable fracture: The bone [broken ends] are barely out of place.
Compound fracture: The bone pierces through the skin, or a deep wound causes exposure of the bone through the skin
Transverse fracture: A horizontal fracture line is the characteristic feature of this type of fracture.
Oblique fracture: An angled pattern is followed in this type of fracture.
Comminuted fracture: The bone gets broken into more than three pieces in this type of fracture
Diagnosis and treatment for bone fractures:
For diagnosis,
Physical examination is carried out for diagnosis purposes.
Often, an X-ray, and sometimes, an MRI or CT scan is suggested, to assess the fracture completely.
Bone healing is a natural process therefore, treatment is basically concerned with giving the injured bone appropriate circumstances to facilitate the healing procedure.
Once the fracture has been aligned by the medical professional, they will ensure it stays in place.
There are two ways:
External Fixation:
The doctor places metal screws or pins into the broken bone above and below the site of the fracture. The screws are joined to a metal bar outside the skin.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation:
The doctor first repositions the bone fragments in their normal alignment and holds the bones together with the help of screws or with the help of metal plates (attached) to the bone on the outer surface.
Ayurvedic remedies:
Harajod is also known as a bone-binding herb that is helpful in mending broken bones and providing protection to the body. Harajod can be used as a paste by applying it on the site.
How to use Harajore?
Dry the Harajor herb
Add urad dal to the herb and grind it into a paste.
Apply this mixture at the site and tie it with a clean cloth.
Apply again after two days.
After following this remedy continuously for a month, rapid improvement can be observed
Complications of bone fractures:
There can be various complications in cases where fracture is experienced, such as:
Healing of bone in the wrong position: The bones may experience a shift during the healing process or a fracture might heal in a wrong position
Bone growth disruption: In certain cases, bone fracture becomes disrupted which may affect the development of the injured bone and can lead to the risk of deformity in the bone in the future.
Infection of bone or bone marrow: In case of compound fracture, the bacteria may enter through a skin break and infect the bone marrow or the bone. This can result in a persistent infection.
Avascular necrosis: Also known as bone dead, in this case, the bone loses its essential supply of blood, and it may die.
Cast and Splint care during recovery:
Fractures are usually treated with splints or casts, this helps to correct bone healing at a faster rate, and the suffering is reduced due to movement. In order to reduce complications and cases of infection, the following measures should be taken.
The area affected is accompanied by swelling, the splint must be lifted. We can do this by placing it on pillows and raising it above the heart level for a period of 48 hours.
Apply ice packs on swelling places to reduce the swelling; apply the compress for 20 minutes every two hours, avoid placing ice on the skin directly.
Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for at least 48 hours for pain relief.
Keep the splint or cast dry i.e. do not allow water to pass through it, this can be achieved by covering them with two plastic bags, the bags can be affixed to the skin with adhesive tape outside the splint or cast.
In case the splint gets wet, use a hair dryer to dry it immediately, and make sure to set it on a cold setting, not hot, in order to avoid skin burns.
Keep the splint neat and clean, and avoid contamination with dirt to prevent infection.
Avoid placing any object inside the splint or cast when feeling itchy (such as a pen, etc.) so that it does not get stuck inside the splint and harm the skin and thus cause infection.
When feeling itchy inside the splint or a cast, a hair dryer can be used in the cold mode to reduce this feeling. In case of cast just place the dryer near one opening where it is a little loose.
Do not pull out the lining of the splint.
Do not try to break the cast as the pieces can cause injury to the skin.
Foods to help faster the recovery:
Diet has a significant impact on how quickly a bone fracture heals. It is advised to eat foods high in calcium, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Here are a few suggestions:
Fish Oil:
Regarded as the best food to heal broken bones as it contains omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), that help in the bone healing faster. It also helps the body to absorb calcium in the maximum amount from the diet and enhances calcium levels in the bone
Green Tea:
It contains powerful antioxidants that strengthen bones and improve bone density. It reduces inflammation of the site, also prevents further bone damage and promotes faster recovery.
Eggs and avocado:
Eggs are loaded with choline, which is very important for bone health, and on the other hand, avocados are a great source of folate, which is necessary for strong
How can you prevent Bone fractures?
The risk of bone fractures can be reduced through remedies and certain lifestyle changes.
The Diet of the person can affect the intensity of fractures. Our body needs a sufficient supply of calcium for healthy bones. A good source of calcium includes cheese, milk, dark green leafy vegetables, and yogurt.
The presence of vitamin D is also necessary for calcium absorption. Sunlight exposure and eating eggs are good sources of vitamin D.
In the case of the elderly:
Periodic medical follow-ups should be conducted to evaluate the condition of the person.
A bone examination should be conducted to assess the state of osteoporosis or the condition of low bone density, this is applicable, especially in the case of postmenopausal women aged around 60 years.
One must perform physical activities that will help strengthen the muscles of the feet and improve the balance of the body
An annual eye examination is to be conducted to assess the vision to avoid an adverse situation.
A safer environment at home to avoid falling can be done by creating empty spaces, discarding the furniture not in need which otherwise might lead to stumbling, and the house should be well lit to avoid any accident.
In the case of children:
Playing in a safe manner and ensuring that playing areas are safe because fracture while playing is common in children.
Ensure the child's safety at home, and monitor him in places where he might fall.
Ensure the child wears protective clothing wherever necessary. Like a knee pad while skating or biking
The list of drugs prescribed in case of fractures are:
Abaloparatide: This drug is prescribed to treat osteoporosis in case of postmenopausal women at a high risk for fracture. Also improves fracture healing
Aspirin and Oxycodone: These drugs are used to relieve pain (moderate to severe).
Indomethacin (for fractured knee cap): A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), prescribed for stiffness, pain and swelling
Ketoprofen: A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID), when suffering from mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever.
Piroxicam: A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, prescribed to ease the discomfort suffered during rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, also prescribed for postoperative pain
Sulindac: An (NSAID), prescribed for tenderness, swelling, pain, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
Tramadol: An opioid analgesic, in case of moderate to severe pain or suffering in adults.
Disclaimer: Kindly Consult your doctor before consuming any of the above-mentioned drugs.
REFERENCE:
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bones/
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/toddlers-fracture
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bones/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fractures
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fractures/basics/ART-20056641?p=1
https://www.medindia.net/drugs/medical-condition/fracture-of-knee-cap.htm
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