Fractures

What are fractures?

Fractures, commonly known as broken bones, refer to the partial or complete cracks or breaks in bones. These injuries can occur in various shapes and sizes, ranging from hairline cracks to severe breaks that puncture the skin. 

Fractures can affect any bone in your body and vary in severity based on the force and impact applied to the bone.

How do fractures occur?

Fractures occur due to various reasons, including:

Trauma or injury

Falls, accidents, sports injuries, or direct blows to the body can exert excessive force on your bones, causing them to fracture.

Repetitive stress or overuse

Certain activities or movements that subject your bones to repeated stress, such as in athletes or individuals engaged in high-impact activities, can lead to stress fractures.

Medical conditions

Conditions like osteoporosis, which weaken your bones, or certain cancers that metastasize to bones, can increase the risk of fractures.

What are the symptoms of fractures?

The symptoms of a fracture can vary depending on the type and severity of your injury. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Pain, swelling, and tenderness around the fracture
• Bruising or discoloration
• Difficulty or inability to move the affected limb or joint
• Deformity or an abnormal appearance of the injured area
• Sharp, intense pain at the site of the injury

The Ledesma Foot and Ankle team provides diagnostic ultrasound and digital X-rays to understand the severity of your fracture and to develop a treatment plan right for you.

How are fractures treated?

Treatment for fractures depends on your injury type and its severity. At Ledesma Foot and Ankle, common approaches to fracture management may include:

• Immobilization (splinting, casting, or using braces)
• Reduction (manual realignment of your bones to restore proper alignment before immobilization)
• Surgery (may involve using internal fixation devices like screws, plates, rods, or external fixation)
• Rehabilitation (physical therapy for regaining strength, mobility, and function)

The team may also recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to aid in healing.

If you have a fracture, don’t delay treatment. You want to avoid complications or any hindrance in the healing process. Seek medical care from the experts at Ledesma Foot and Ankle by calling or requesting an appointment online now.