A fracture refers to the breaking of the bones in your body. It is an injury that can happen to anyone and can result from accidents, sports injuries, and medical conditions like osteoporosis. Fracture symptoms, like pain, swelling, and the inability to move, can seriously affect your daily routine. Whether your fracture is small or severe, knowing the available treatments can help you choose the best one.
Let’s discuss the various methods and techniques used to treat bone fractures and where you can go for comprehensive orthopedic care in Johnson City, TN.
Splints and Casts
Splints and casts are used to immobilize and support bone fractures while they heal. They are the most common treatments for fractures.
Splints are faster and easier to use when compared to casts. They provide less support, which is why they are also known as half-casts. You can tighten or loosen it if the swelling of the injured limb increases or decreases.
Casts, on the other hand, provide more support and offer greater protection for bone fractures. They can be made of plaster or fiberglass and molded to fit the shape of the injured limb.
Open or Closed Reduction
Reductions are treatments that involve pushing and pulling the ends of your broken bones to realign them. This process helps the bones return to their proper places.
An open reduction accomplishes this through surgery and is often done prior to another surgical procedure known as internal fixation.
A closed reduction does not involve creating incisions in your skin. While it sounds more appealing, it is most effective as soon as possible.
Internal Fixation
This method realigns your bones to their proper positions and secures them using special screws, nails, wires, or plates. While they are securely in place, your bone fractures will then heal normally.
Suppose you suffer a fracture in the middle part of your femur (thigh bone). Then, a rod will be used through the center of the bone.
While you have these pieces of metal in your bones, you should avoid moving your injured body part.
This procedure usually takes place while you are under the effects of general anesthesia. While you can receive follow-up surgeries to remove the metal pieces, there are cases where people keep them inserted forever.
External Fixation
Through this technique, a brace or bracket is connected to screws inserted on either side of the fracture. The screws will be placed inside your body, while the brace or bracket will be outside.
The brace or bracket can be adjusted to keep the bones in proper positions while healing.
It is often used temporarily to stabilize bone fractures and give them time to heal before internal fixation. Children or those with damaged skin from a fracture are the usual recipients of this treatment.
Arthroplasty
Your joints, such as your shoulders and knees, are also at risk of bone fractures. Should this occur, replacing the fractured joint with an artificial implant can relieve the symptoms of the injury.
Arthroplasty, also known as joint replacement surgery, involves surgically removing the fractured joint. The replacement implant, which can be made of metal, ceramic, or heavy-duty plastic, will then be inserted.
The benefit of using arthroplasty to treat joint fractures is the reduced number of procedures needed to treat symptoms.
Bone Grafting
This treatment option uses bone matrix from transplanted bones to repair damaged ones.
The bone matrix is a material found in your bones that gives them strength and durability. Within this matrix are living bone cells that make up and maintain it.
To use these cells, your surgeon will take bone from your hips, legs, or ribs. The bone may also come from donated cadavers if necessary. Your doctor will then insert it into the bone fractures. The cells will then start to work, sealing the new and old bones together.
Traction
This method uses weights and pulleys to apply tension to your legs and arms. Pulling your limbs in a certain direction will stretch your muscles to help realign the broken bone. With the bones being properly aligned, they can then heal properly.
Traction is also used to reduce pain caused by the fracture or make evaluating the fracture easier for your surgeon.
Treatment for Bone Fractures in Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN
If you are looking for high-quality orthopedic care, visit the professional orthopedic doctors at Watauga Orthopaedics today. We provide a comprehensive service for various orthopedic disorders, including hip, knee, shoulder, hand, foot, ankle, and spine conditions.
To learn more about our services or schedule a consultation, contact us today at (423) 282-9011 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form.
We look forward to serving you!
