A bone fracture or broken bone can significantly impact the individual and their loved ones. Bone fractures can happen for several reasons and in a number of different ways. While bones can flex and absorb the force of a fall or blow, the bone may fracture or break when a force is extreme.
Most people ask, “Do I need to visit a chiropractor or pain management clinic after suffering a broken bone, or can the ER take care of it?” Regardless of the cause or severity of your bone injury, it’s always best to visit a specialist for your bone treatment in Greenville, SC.
At Injury Medicine, we use highly effective techniques to help your broken bones heal quickly and without pain. Our personalized treatment plan results in improved quality of life with little recovery time.
Call our Greenville injury clinic at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment to get treatment for your injury!
Causes of Broken Bones
A fracture – typically a medical term – and a broken bone essentially refer to the same thing. The most common causes of broken/fractured bones include:
- Trauma: A car accident, fall, or a tackle during sporting activities can result in broken bones.
- Osteoporosis: Refers to a disorder that weakens bones. Osteoporosis is common in older adults (over 50 years). According to the CDC, in 2010, an estimated 10.2 million Americans aged 50 and over had osteoporosis. If you or a loved one is 50 years old and suffer a fracture, you are at a greater risk of having more broken bones. For these reasons, make sure to get a diagnosis for osteoporosis so that it’s closely managed and monitored by specialists.
- Overuse injuries: Repetitive motion caused by the nature of your work, e.g., farming, can tire muscles and place more stress and force on your bones, leading to bone fractures.
A bone can be partially or entirely broken. The severity of the fracture depends on the nature and cause of the injury, the type of bone, and your age and health. Regardless of the cause of a bone fracture, prompt medical attention is crucial. Let us help!
Symptoms of a Broken Bone
Bone fractures – whether they stem from a fall or car accident – are different from other skeletal injuries such as dislocations, although it can be challenging to tell them apart. Sometimes, you may have broken bone as well as a dislocation. If in doubt, talk to a specialist for a diagnosis.
The symptoms of a broken bone depend on the type of bone and the severity of the injury, but common symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Deformity
- Difficulty or inability to use the limb
- Bruising
- Severe pain
How Is a Broken Bone Diagnosed?
The team at Injury Medicine can diagnose bone fractures/broken bones with x-rays. We can also use computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Bone fractures heal themselves – the aim of seeking medical attention is to ensure that all fractured pieces of the bone are lined up correctly, so as to heal in the healthiest way possible. Complicated bone injuries may need surgery or surgical traction (or both). To be considered healed, a bone must recover fully in movement, strength, and sensitivity.
What Are the Most Common Broken Bones?
While any bone in your body can be broken or fractured, some bones are more prone to injuries. These include:
What Is the Treatment for a Broken Bone?
Depending on the type of the bone that is fractured or broken and how severe the injury is, treatment may include:
- Bone Alignment: If the broken bone has been moved out of alignment, it can be “set” back into place for proper healing.
- Casts: These wrap the fracture with hard protection and typically take six to eight weeks to heal.
- Splints: These are used for less severe broken bone injuries and allow the bone to heal independently without needing surgery.
- Brace: May be used for supporting the fractured bone
- Surgery: The treatment for bone structure involving orthopedic surgery may include using stainless-steel screws, fixators, plates, or frames to hold the bone pieces together.
- Pain medication: Some bone fractures like broken ribs only need time to heal independently. For such injuries, you may be given pain medication to help you cope with the discomfort.
Rehabilitation for a fractured Bone
Recovery from bone fractures can take up to 8 weeks. As your bone starts to heal, rehabilitation can go a long way in reducing and managing stiffness in your hand, arm, leg, hip, or shoulder that can result from wearing a sling or cast.
Some rehabilitation techniques that can help with factured bones include:
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
- Physiotherapy exercises
Talk to a Specialist in Fractured Bone Treatment in Greenville!
Did you break a bone in a car accident? Injury Medicine in Greenville, SC is here to provide the medical services you need after experiencing a broken bone.
We invite you to call 864-866-PAIN and schedule a consultation today. We are skilled, equipped, and experienced in assisting with various treatment plans for bone fractures.
