Broken Bones

Bones

• Bones are connective tissue.

• Bones have a soft center that is full of bone marrow, where blood cells are made.

• Bones support the body, help with movement, and offer protection to vital organs.

Types of Bones• There are 5 main types of

bones– Long bones- characterized by

a long shaft, like a femur– Short bones- roughly cubed

shaped and found in wrist– Flat bones-are thin and curved

bones with two hard bones sandwiching a soft tissue, the skull bones

– Irregular bones- bones that do not fit in the above categories, like hip or spine bones

– Sesamoid bones- bones that are embedded in tendons, like the patella

Broken Bones

• A medical term used to describe broken bones is a Bone Fracture

• This is a medical condition where the bone is either cracked or broken

• This condition can be abbreviated with Fx , FRX, of just Fx

What can cause a broken bone?

• Normally, a bone fracture is caused by high amounts of pressure, impact, or stress.

• Some fractures can be caused by different types of diseases, such as:– Osteoporosis

• A disease where the bone is weakened

– A bone cyst• A tumor in the bone that eats away at bone

marrow, causing the bone to be hollow

Types of fractures

• Complete Fracture- where bones completely separate

• Incomplete Fracture- the bones are still partially joined

• A Linear Fracture- a fracture that is parallel to the bone’s axis

• Transverse Fracture- where the fracture is perpendicular from the bone’s axis

Types of Fractures Cont.• Oblique Fracture- A fracture that is diagonal to a bone's

axis. • Compression Fracture-a fracture that usually occurs in

the vertebrae. • Spiral Fracture- a fracture where some of the bone has

been twisted• Comminuted Fracture- a fracture with a bunch of

fragments• Compacted Fracture- a fracture when the bones are driven into each other• Open Fracture- the fracture went through the skin

Classifying Fractures

• Normally, 5 things are taken into account when fractures are classified.– The name of the bone– The location on the bone– The type of fracture– The group/ shape (Like a spiral fracture)– And the subgroups, which looks at things like

the displacement or if there is shortening

Classifying Fractures Cont.

• Neer Classification: Humerus

• Denis Classification: Spine

• Seinsheimer Classification: Femur

• Frykmann Classification: radius & ulna

Symptoms• Depends on where and how the bone was

broken.• Normal Symptoms are:

– Pain– Swelling– Bruising– Deformity– The inability to use the limb

Where can Fractures Occur?

• Just about every bone in the body has been broken

• The most commonly broken bones are:– Wrist– Ankle – Hip- This case happens more

frequently in the elderly

• Fingers and toes are broken frequently too due to sport injuries

Complications of Bone Fractures

• The most common complications are:– Blood loss– Injuries to Organs– Growth/ joint problems– Weakness in some

areas– Shock

First Aid

• Should be given right away.

• Ask the person if they are hurt and in need of help.

• Only move the person if there is immediate danger in the area!!!!

• Moving a person with a head, neck, or spinal injury can cause a greater injury to occur!!!!

First Aid Cont• One thing to do right

away is call 911 if possible.

• Treat wounds that are bleeding right away so there is minimum blood loss.

• Keep the wound as clean as possible

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN ANY BROKEN BONES YOURSELF!!!!

First Aid Cont.

• If the Fracture is in the limb, provide cushion and/ or support, like a pillow.

• At the same time, do not cause more pain or injury by moving the limb.

• It is also possible to make a make-shift splint or sling

First Aid Cont.

• Immobilize limbs by either using a sling for the arm, or tying of the leg above and below the fracture• If possible, raise the leg and put an ice-pack on it to reduce swelling.• Call either 911 or 000 (for an ambulance)• Do not eat or drink anything in case surgery is

necessary.

Diagnoses

• There are three common ways that doctors use to tell if a bone is broken– An X-ray– A MRI– A CT (a computer used program used to make a 3-

D image)

Treatments• One thing most

people do not understand is that broken bones heal by them selves.

• A cast or other medical treatment is used to make sure the bones align properly.

Treatments Cont.

• Treatment include:– Splints– Cast/ body cast– Braces– Pain relief– Traction– Inserted rods,

plates, or screws

Healing

• Healing begins when blood clots start to form on the end of the broken bone

• After a few (2-6) weeks, most cast are removed

• The broken limb must still be held with care

Healing Cont.

• After about 5 weeks, the bone will fuse together– This uses Cartilage

• Or Fibrous cells• This new bone is not

as strong as the first and can break very easily

Healing Cont.

• Most cast or splints can be removed in about two months

• The new bone must still be treated with care for another month

• The temporary bone (callus) will be replaced with a real bone over time.

Healing Cont.

• The bone heals without scars, unlike the skin

• The muscles, however, will be weak because of lack of use

• Physical Therapy may be necessary to rebuild strength

Orthopedics

• This branch in medicine specializes in bone, bone injury, and bone growth

• This branch also deals with surgeries and bone fractures

• Some even deal with certain muscle injuries

• Much training is needed to become an Orthopedic

Orthopedic Training

• Orthopedic surgeons complete about 10 years of postsecondary education.

• This includes getting an undergraduates in medical school

• They must also complete a 5 year session of orthopedic surgeries

What Happens During Surgery?• The doctor will first

initial the arm that is to be operated on

• The patient will them be given an local anesthetic and an IV drip to put them to sleep

• The doctor will then align the bone, insert any necessary rods, and complete the surgery

Orthopedics in Your Area

• There are many orthopedics in the Richmond area– Tuckahoe Orthopedics

and Associates – Orthopedic Research of

Virginia– Richmond Orthopedics– Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Chester Sharps

• Dr. Chester Sharps is an pediatric orthopedic surgeon that works with Tuckahoe Orthopedics – This means he

specializes in fixing bones in children

• Peoples Magazine has awarded him the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon on the east coast

Fun Facts

• The femur is one of the most difficult bones to break in the human body

• The radius (near the wrist) is probably the most common bone that is broken, mostly because of sports

• Many fingers and toes are broken, but there is no real treatment except for resting the bone

Bibliography

• "Bone Fractures." Better Health Channel. 01 Oct 2008. State of Victoria. 24 Oct 2008 <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bone_fractures?OpenDocument>.

• "Bone Fractures." Wikipedia. 23 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_fracture>.

• "Orthopedic Surgery." Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008. Wikipedia. 24 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic>.

• Personal Information/Experience