Fractures Summary A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone. Symptoms of a fracture are Intense pain Deformity – the limb looks out of place Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury Numbness and tingling Problems moving a limb You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Array Ankle fracture – aftercare Bone fracture repair – slideshow Broken bone Broken collarbone – aftercare Closed reduction of a fractured bone Closed reduction of a fractured bone – aftercare Creating a sling – slideshow Hand fracture – aftercare Metatarsal fracture (acute) – aftercare Metatarsal stress fractures – aftercare Radial head fracture – aftercare Specifics Avulsion Fracture: How Is It Treated? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Stress Fractures Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Prevention and Risk Factors Bone Mass Measurement: What the Numbers Mean National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Comparing Osteoporosis Drugs: The Bisphosphonates Consumers Union of U.S. Once Is Enough: A Guide to Preventing Future Fractures National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Preventing Falls and Related Fractures National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Reducing the Risk of Bone Fracture: A Review of the Research for Adults with Low Bone Density Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Encyclopedia Bone scan Bone x-ray Hardware removal – extremity How to make a sling Joint x-ray Nasal fracture – aftercare Pin care X-ray – skeleton Diagnosis and Tests Bone Scan Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Array Children Broken Bones (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Cast Care: Do’s and Don’ts Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Cool Cast Facts Nemours Foundation Facts about Broken Bones Nemours Foundation Greenstick Fractures Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Growth Plate Injuries National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases When Your Child Needs a Cast Nemours Foundation Statistics and Research Childhood Forearm Breaks Resulting from Mild Trauma May Indicate Bone Deficits National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Fractures, Bone National Institutes of Health Seniors Falls and Fractures National Institute on Aging Treatments and Therapies Fractures (Broken Bones): First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Health Check Tools Healthy Bones Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Living With MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids Find an Expert National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Journal Articles Fractures Patient Handouts What Are Growth Plate Injuries? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
