Are Broken Bones and Fractures Same?

Both broken fractures and fractures mean the same thing. However, different injuries can lead to different types of fractures or broken bones.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures usually do not show up on X-rays, rather on an MRI as a black line with fluid surrounding the fracture site. A stress fracture is often the result of repetitive use and not a single injury.

Stress Reaction

Stress reaction is a pre-stress fracture and typically occurs from repetitive use or overuse.

Hairline Fracture

As the name suggests, a hairline fracture is a simple line. It can sometimes be difficult to identify but is visible on plain X-ray.

Occult Fracture

An occult fracture typically results from a traumatic event. If your doctor suspects an occult fracture, it is assumed broken and treated likewise. An MRI scan will show the occult fracture but not a plain X-ray.

Compound or Open Fracture

A closed fracture is a broken bone that does not stick out through the skin. On the contrary, the term ‘compound or open’ fracture means the bone is showing through the skin. In other words,the injury or trauma is so severe that the bone has broken and torn through the skin because of the injury. This is why a compound or open fracture requires immediate surgery. Surgery is used to clean out the wound and reset the bone so that it can heal. In some cases, screws, plates, wires, and pins may be used to hold the bone in place while it heals. There is a high risk of infection with open or compound fractures. 

Comminuted Fracture

A comminuted fracture means that the bone that has broken in two or more places. These are typically high energy injuries. Because of this, many comminuted fractures need to be repaired surgically to realign the pieces of bone and to allow it to heal.

Causes of Fractures

The most common causes of fractures are –

• Trauma – A fall, an auto accident, or a workplace injury can result in a fracture.
• Osteoporosis–This is a conditionthat causes bones to weaken and makes them more likely to break.
• Overuse–Repetitive motion can wear out muscles and exert more stress on bone, causing stress fractures.

Symptoms

Most fractures are painful and will hurt badly if you try moving the injured area. Other symptoms can be swelling and bruisingat the injury site, deformity of the limb or a part of the bone may be showing through the skin.

The doctor will conduct a thorough and careful examination to assess the injury, your symptoms, and medical history. An x-ray will be used to verify the diagnosis and check the exact location of the fracture. It is important to seek urgent medical attention if you have suffered a fall or another injury, however minor it may seem.

If you have suffered a work-related or personal injury, consult the best accident and injury chiropractic in Phoenix, AZ, at Arizona Injury Medical Associates at 480-347-0941 right away.

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arizonaima Joined: June 24th, 2018