Fracture Care
Fracture Care
A "fracture" is defined as any injury to a bone that violates its structural integrity; it is the technical term used for any broken bone. "Fractured" and "broken" mean the same thing. Fracture healing begins on the day of injury, and involves formation of immature bone called "callus" which is slowly transformed into mature bone. A fracture is considered healed when it is no longer painful or tender, and when there is no motion at the fracture site. Xrays help evaluate healing also, and are done right in the office.
The staff at Blue Ridge Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is equipped to handle most fractures of the bones of the arms and legs, hands and feet, shoulders and hips, and certain injuries of neck and back. Depending on the bone involved and the degree of injury, fractures may be treated in a cast or splint (non-operatively) or may require surgery. Fracture reduction (setting the bone) can in many cases be done in the office under local anesthesia, such as the wrist or finger, and casts are applied.
Casting is only one of the ways used to immobilize an injured body part - slings, splints, braces and dressings may be used alone or in addition to a cast. A cast is simple-looking, but very technical to apply properly. Fit is crucial, as is position. The injured part usually feels better in a cast because it is held still - the key to fracture healing is getting the bone ends together and
keeping them there
. Casts are to be removed carefully by our staff, and never by patients or their families.
Treatment of a fracture may require more than one cast during healing. Xrays are commonly used to assess healing and position, and Physical Therapy is sometimes necessary to rehabilitate the injured limb. Casting is referred to as "closed treatment" while surgery to fix broken bones is called "open treatment." This open treatment is necessary in many cases when casting or bracing is inadequate to effect good healing.
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© 2005 Blue Ridge Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, P. A. • 708 South South Street • PO Box 472 • Mount Airy, NC 27030
Phone: 336-719-0011 • Fax: 336-719-0381 • Email:
info@blueortho.com
• Website: www.blueortho.com
