Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : March 24, 2015 5:29 PM IST
Most people assume there is only one kind of fracture - the kind that requires a white cast that is likely to last for a few months. But there is much more to a fracture than that. However, the fact is that there are many different kinds and based on the type, the line of treatment and recovery time varies.
Displaced or non-displaced
When the fractured fragments are separate, but are still aligned correctly and have not moved from their normal position, they are known as non-displaced fractures. If they have moved, it is known as a displaced fracture.
Symptoms: A person with a displaced fracture will notice a disfigurement (a small protrusion) of the area that is fractured. In the case of a non-displaced fracture one will only notice a swelling in the region.
Treatment: In the case of a displaced fracture, the fragments have to be brought back into alignment, usually surgically. This procedure is called 'reduction', which can be 'closed' (without surgery) or 'open' (with surgery).
Depending on the severity of the fracture a person might need surgery. In such cases although the affected area usually returns to normal functioning, the period for complete recovery is anywhere from three to six months.
Open or closed fracture
When the fractured bone breaks the skin and comes out through a wound, it is called an 'open' fracture. When no such wound is present the fracture is called a 'closed' fracture.
Symptoms: The open fracture is the easiest to identify because of the wound seen on the person's skin. In the case of the closed fracture, one will be able to see the broken bone pushing through the skin.
Treatment: In the case of an open fracture the wound needs to be carefully cleaned and dressed accordingly, so as to avoid an infection of the bone. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent an infection.
In this type of fracture the patient almost always requires surgery to realign the bones and repair the damage to the skin. The doctor may require to place a plate or metal screws to hold the bones in place till they heal. The recovery time for such a fracture is usually about six months followed by physiotherapy to regain use of the fractured part.
Greenstick fracture
This type of fracture is generally seen in children, where the bone is bent, but not completely broken (this occurs because a child's bones are suppler than an adult's).
Symptoms: Usually associated with immense pain and inability to use the fractured part, a greenstick fracture requires a lot of care and attention. The person will not notice the usual deformity seen with other fractures.
Treatment: This type of fracture is usually cast in an immovable cast so as to allow the bones to heal. In the case of children the doctor may use a cast for the entire area, in order to minimize movements made by the child, especially in the case of a fractured arm or leg.
Usually seen in children the doctor usually prescribes the child to remain in the cast for at least three months, with close monitoring. If the fracture has not healed, he/she may extend the amount of time the casts is maintained.
Comminuted fracture
Thisis where the fractured bone is fragmented into many small pieces.
Symptoms: A person with this type of fracture will notice bruising, pain and swelling. The person might also hear a snap or a crack when the bone breaks and be unable to put weight on that area. There might also be some disfigurement of the area.
Treatment: This type of fracture often requires surgery to realign all the bone fragments and insertion of a metal plate or wires to hold them in place till they heal.
Depending on the severity of the fracture, a patient may need to remain in the case and regular post operative checkups to make sure that the area is healing well. He/she may be required to remain in a cast for a few months and will require a significant amount of physiotherapy after the treatment.
Stress fracture
Also called a 'hairline crack', such fractures occur due to low-grade trauma over a long period of time to a part of a bone.
Symptoms: Here the patient will experience symptoms such as pain that develops gradually, one that increases with weight-bearing activity and goes away with rest, pain and tenderness around the area of the fracture.
Treatments: Most stress fractures only require a cast to heal, but there are others that require surgical intervention to help the bones join and heal.
Depending on the case, the patient will require anywhere between a few week to a few months to heal and can return to normal activity.
Pathological fracture
Sometimes bones may become weak and thin due to a disease like osteoporosis. In such cases a person may suffer from a fracture without any trauma or injury. Such a fracture is called a pathological fracture.
Symptoms: In this type of fracture the person will experience sudden symptoms associated with that particular type of fracture. While he/she might be experiencing pain along the region of the break for a while (usually associated with the weakening of the bones)
Treatment: In such cases the patient is treated for the fracture and given appropriate medical care for the underlying reason.
People who suffer from a fracture due to pathological reasons usually have a long road to recovery. Even after the fracture has healed it takes a long while to rehabilitate that area and make the bones strong enough to support their weight and the stress of everyday activities.
It is important for one to realise that a fracture does require first aid when it occurs. To know more about the type of first aid you should provide, read our article on Fractures: First-aid and treatment options you should know about
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
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