When a leg fractures, bone damage occurs, their integrity and functions are violated. Only 30 bones make up the skeleton of the leg - the thigh, knee, tibia and fibula, foot. In case of injury, they can break into several fragments. Any changes that occur in bone tissue require immediate treatment and proper rehabilitation.
Foot injuries
Any change in one of the bones leads to the transformation of both the shape and function of the entire foot, which causes the development of secondary arthrosis and flat feet. For a more accurate diagnostic picture, an x-ray of the leg is performed in 2-3 projections. Fracture requires emergency reduction of fragments. Gypsum for fractures of the leg (posterior process) is applied for 2-3 weeks. The remaining injuries of the talus require isolation for 4-5 weeks. Full recovery of disability occurs after 2.5-3 months.
The talus is the only bone without muscles; it plays a significant role in the formation of the arch of the foot. Such fractures belong to the group of severe injuries and are the result of an unsuccessful jump, fall from a height or tucking of the foot.
Symptoms of a leg fracture:
- sharp pains;
- swelling in the damaged area;
- visible hemorrhages;
- limited movement;
- deformation of the foot.
The scaphoid bone. Leaning on the leg is almost impossible; hemorrhage and swelling from the back of the foot are observed. Feeling the bone causes severe pain. Radiography in 2 projections is required. On average, fixing a plaster cast is made for a period of 4-5 weeks.
With a fracture of the metatarsal bones, local swelling is observed on the sole and back. Pain is felt on palpation and leg support. Multiple fractures are characterized by swelling of the entire foot and hemorrhage. Radiography is needed in 3 projections. If there is no displacement, the rear gypsum tire is applied for 3-4 weeks. Bone displacement requires closed repositioning, open osteosynthesis, and skeletal traction. At the same time, treatment lasts at least six weeks.
Phalanges of the fingers. A fracture of a toe causes swelling, blueness, and sharp pain during movement and palpation. A hematoma forms under the nail. After the x-ray, made in 2 projections, the rear tire of gypsum is applied for 4-6 weeks.
- Leg fracture with displacement requires a long and complex treatment. Vivid symptoms are sharp pain, swelling with multiple fractures of the entire foot, hemorrhage. It is impossible to lean on the leg, radiography is required in three projections for an accurate diagnostic study.
- A fracture of the foot without displacement often occurs due to an unsuccessful fall on the heels. Bone fragments are stored in the correct position.
- A closed leg fracture does not entail trauma to the soft tissues. At the time of injury, you can hear a characteristic click. After a fracture, the foot hurts and swelling is observed.
- With a consolidated fracture , a callus is formed at the site of bone integrity loss, i.e. a fused fracture.
- Jones fracture - injury to the fifth metatarsal bone. Localization occurs in a wide part of the base of the V metatarsal bone, which is the least supplied with blood.
- A stress fracture (crack) occurs as a result of a sharp increase in the load on the bone or developing osteoporosis.
A fracture of the big toe automatically deprives a person of full movement until recovery. The bones of the toes differ from the hand in size, the former are thicker and shorter than the latter, due to the functional load that the foot experiences in this area when moving the body.
Leg fracture: thigh
A closed fracture is accompanied by painful sensations, limited mobility, an open fracture is accompanied by severe blood loss. Shortening and deformation of the injured limb is possible. You can get such a fracture as a result of a car accident, if you fail to fall from a height. With intra-articular damage, pain at rest does not bother, with movements it increases.
With a vertical fracture, unbearable pain occurs during the slightest movements in the hip joints.
Fractures of the foot bones in children
In connection with the anatomical features of the skeletal system, some leg fractures occur that are characteristic exclusively of childhood. Despite the activity and mobility of children, they are much less likely to suffer from fractures than adults. This is due to low body weight, well-developed soft tissue cover. The periosteum in children is thicker and plentifully supplied with blood, which provides even greater protection to the bones. For children are characterized by:
- breaks;
- epiphysiolysis;
- osteoepiphysiolysis;
- apophyseolysis;
- subperiosteal fractures.
Bone tissue in children grows together quickly, as a rule, it can do without serious consequences with a correctly drawn up treatment regimen. With improper fusion of bones and fragments, pain will appear not only during movement, but also at rest. Puffiness and deformation of the foot will be disturbing.
A crack is an incomplete fracture of a leg, bone tissue is partially damaged, displacement does not occur. Symptoms are often similar to signs of a fracture, so an x-ray is required.
With bruising, soft tissues suffer, limb performance is not lost. Signs of injury:
- bruises, abrasions;
- swelling;
- You can lean on your leg, a damaged limb is functioning normally;
- bruising.
If the foot movements are painful, a crack may have formed, a picture is needed.
Dislocations are dangerous in that the restoration of foot functions is extremely difficult in two articulating surfaces. Competent and timely treatment will eliminate the need for surgical intervention.
Joint crunch
It occurs due to the incorrect anatomical structure of the tendons or ligaments that come into motion during walking. A characteristic click is heard when engaged on the protrusions of the bones that are nearby. The cause of the development of the pathological process can be: an infectious disease, congenital defects of the foot, a sedentary lifestyle.
Foot Disease Treatment and Surgery
Treatment of foot diseases includes:
- physical rehabilitation (physiotherapy, massage);
- anti-inflammatory drug therapy;
- prescribing drugs to improve blood circulation;
- taking analgesics;
- alternative methods to eliminate puffiness;
- surgical intervention;
- wearing orthopedic shoes and insoles.
The decision on surgery is made when conservative treatment methods have failed.
First aid for fractures of the foot bones
The provision of first aid for a fracture of a toe or foot requires immediate immobilization (immobilization) of the limb. It is necessary that the injured leg takes the correct position, the shoes are removed immediately, in the future, when the leg swells, it will be extremely difficult to do this. With an open fracture of a leg bone, it is forbidden to independently manipulate the reduction of joints.
First of all, bleeding stops, the skin around the wound is treated with a disinfectant, and a sterile dressing is applied to the affected area.
You can immobilize your leg by applying a “improvised” tire from boards, ski poles. They are superimposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the legs. In extreme cases, a damaged leg is fixed to a healthy one with any bandage.
Rehabilitation and recovery from injury
The main task after a fracture is to restore joint mobility and muscle function. Rehabilitation includes:
- Exercise therapy, therapeutic massage, rubbing;
- performing a special set of exercises;
- normalization of the diet, the use of foods fortified with calcium.
After removal of the cast, swelling is often observed due to impaired blood flow. Rubbing with cedar oil helps well from stagnation. The next rehabilitation stage after grinding will be baths and exercises.
Immobilization and orthosis
The most important point from which treatment begins is the immobilization of the damaged joint in a convenient way. Orthoses are a kind of external skeleton that fully reflects the anatomy of a limb. The main task of immobilization is to provide rest to the damaged part of the body.
Exercises and exercise therapy
This is the most effective and safest way to restore the joint and muscle. Exercises are performed after a preliminary warm-up, gradually. A positive effect will be achieved with regular classes. The simplest exercises for daily execution:
- leg swings sitting on a chair;
- rotational foot movements;
- walking;
- swinging legs crossed.
A leg after an ankle fracture heals especially long.
Orthopedic insoles and massage
Orthopedic diseases of the feet, as a rule, progress. With the help of insoles and shoes, the formation of pathologies can be prevented or their development slowed down. Insoles are necessary for the proper functioning of the foot.
Massage is one of the most important points of recovery after bone fractures. The leg, which is in the cast, is deprived of the normal lymphatic flow, therefore it swells. To avoid stagnation, restore vascular tone, and massage is needed. In addition, acupuncture massage helps to restore the whole body. It is important to know which points, for which organ are responsible:
- pads of the extreme phalanges of the fingers - paranasal sinuses;
- fold of the third and second fingers - eye area;
- anterior and lateral plantar surface of the feet - zones of the bronchi, throat;
- the front section of the arch of the foot on the left leg - organs of the cardiovascular system;
- the depth of the arch of the feet - the solar plexus, stomach, adrenal glands and kidneys;
- the depth of the arch of the right foot is the region of the liver.
Osteotomy is an operation performed to eliminate deformation by artificial bone fracture to give it the correct position.
Osteosynthesis is a procedure for connecting bone fragments, necessary for their strong fixation to fusion.
Resection involves the removal of the affected area of the bone for the treatment of certain pathologies. It is carried out with bone tumor, tuberculosis in order to restore the shape and integrity of the bone.
Cartilage and bone repair preparations
Special medicines and vitamin complexes help restore cartilage and bone tissue and reduce the load on the joints. Vitamins and minerals strengthen the connective tissue of ligaments and bones. A lack of vitamin D provokes inflammatory processes. Vitamins C and B5 are required for collagen synthesis. Get the maximum preventive and therapeutic effect of drugs:
- glucosamine sulfate;
- calcium in the form of an easily digestible form;
- chondroitin sulfate;
- Vitamin D
- collagen in the form of a daily norm of gelatin in 10 g.
In the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it is recommended to use means to improve blood circulation. The severity of a fracture depends largely on its location.