If there’s one of the hardest parts of our body, it’s the bones. Yes, healthy bones are very tough in terms of structural strength and can withstand powerful impacts. However, there are limitations when it comes to the bones’ resiliency.
In other words, the bones can crack if subjected to extreme impacts. In medical terms, cracks in the bones are known as fractures. What’s more interesting to know is that there’s not just one but different types of fractures.
If you have recently met a high-impact accident (automobile accident or a fall) and the injured area is very tender, make sure to seek medical help as it can signal bone fracture. Search for an orthopaedic doctor near your location with search terms like ‘orthopedic doctor near me.’
Here are the 4 common types of fractures:
Stress fracture
Stress fracture is one of the most common types of fractures. It occurs when there’s a hairline crack in the bone. In a stress fracture, there’s no separation. This type of fracture is characterised by extreme pain.
Unlike other types of fractures, a stress fracture does not occur right after the accident. Instead, the pain builds up over time. Stress fracture is common in athletes and sportsperson.
Comminuted fracture
Comminuted fracture is one of the most severe types of fractures. In a comminuted fracture, the bone breaks into more than two pieces. High-impact road accidents are the common causes of comminuted fracture.
Repairing the damage caused by comminuted fracture involves removing bone fragments from the body. In most cases, the small fragments or the broken bones penetrate the surrounding skin and lead to extreme pain.
Spiral fracture
Spiral fracture, also known as torsion fracture, is characterised by a fracture that twists around a bone. Spiral fracture occurs due to a twisting, rotational force to the bone. The ankles are one of the most common spots for spiral fracture to occur. However, this fracture type can occur in other bones of the body, including finger bones, upper arm bones, thighbone, and shinbone.
Some of the common symptoms of Spiral fracture include bone stiffness, swelling, limited range of movement, and tenderness. Severe cases of spiral fractures often cause breaks on the skin.
Multispeciality hospitals provides high-quality diagnosis and treatment for different types of bone-related problems. The department of Orthopaedics has a team of highly-qualified and well-experienced orthopaedic doctors who ensure a holistic treatment.
Open fracture
Open fracture is characterised by piercing of bone through the skin. In other words, the bone is visible as it penetrates the outer skin. Open fracture is also known as a compound fracture. In some cases of open fracture, the broken bone penetrates deep but doesn’t break the skin; this leads to a tenting effect on the skin.
When the fractured bone pierces the skin, the risk of infection on the open wound increases to a significant extent. It’s important to treat the open wound with antibiotics.
