The life of a modern person is in many ways different from that which was characteristic, say, of the inhabitants of the Middle Ages. However, phenomena such as injuries, which include bruises, sprains, and fractures, still occur. This article is about bone fractures. In it we will try to briefly consider the reasons for their appearance, as well as the main types.
Determination of bone fracture in medicine
To begin with, it's worth figuring out what fractures are. What is included in the concept of “fracture” among specialists? In simple terms, then any injuries that are characterized by the destruction of any bone of the human skeleton can be attributed to fractures. In medicine, this term is as follows: a fracture is the complete or partial destruction of a bone as a single, monolithic fragment of the body, a violation of its integrity under conditions when the traumatic effect exceeds its strength.
The main reasons why the bone can break, experts include the following:
- Injuries, during which there is severe compression over the entire surface of the bone or the point impact on it of a high degree of intensity.
- Stress fractures, which are systematic microtraumatization of a particular joint or bone.
- Diseases that cause a decrease in the strength of the entire skeleton or individual bones in it.
According to statistics, most often fractures of limbs occur in a person: arms and legs. In second place are fractures of the ribs. Most rarely, fractures of the bones of the skull and spinal column are recorded.
Types of Fractures
So, we move on to another, no less important issue, which relates to such a phenomenon as a fracture. This type of injury, depending on the causes that caused them, is divided into several types. Firstly, fractures can be acquired and congenital, traumatic and pathological. Traumatic fractures most often occur as a result of falls, bumps and other mechanical effects on the skeleton. However, pathological fractures can occur even in a state of complete rest with diseases such as osteomyelitis, osteogenesis imperfecta, Paget's disease, osteoporosis and others.
Since a fracture is primarily a trauma, there are two varieties of it, depending on how damaged the surrounding bone tissue is. In the presence of a rupture of muscle fibers and skin, we are talking about an open fracture. If the bone of the skeleton that has lost its integrity has not damaged the skin, then such a fracture is closed. Open fractures, in turn, are divided into primary and secondary: the former is characterized by a large wound surface with the release of bone fragments to the outside, and the secondary fracture is characterized by a small wound on the skin caused by a puncture of the skin by bone fragments from the inside.
The nature of the fracture of the skeleton bones also gave rise to several groups of bone fractures: helical, oblique, transverse and longitudinal, fragmented, fragmented and comminuted, hammered, tear-off and compression.
For example, a fracture of the humerus or thigh is most often oblique, transverse, or longitudinal. First of all, this is due to the structure of these very bones, as well as their increased vulnerability. Often when injuring the limbs, there is a dislocation and a fracture. This phenomenon in medicine is called fracture dislocation. Most often they are diagnosed with injuries of the hip joint, knee, elbow and ankle.
Symptoms and signs of fractures
The appearance of a fracture of any bone can be easily diagnosed. Common symptoms in violation of bone tissue are: acute or dull pain, swelling of adjacent tissues, atypical mobility, impaired motor function, hematoma formation.
A fracture of the humerus or thigh can also be accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic protrusion and blue fingers. When the bone is displaced, a shortening of the limb is observed, the appearance of severe pain when trying to move it. When a joint fracture occurs in a patient, the contours of the damaged part of the body are smoothed out, and a noticeable swelling appears due to blood accumulated in it. Open fractures are characterized by the presence of a wound with bleeding, in which fragments of bone are visible.
Diagnosis of bone fractures
The first diagnostic measure for suspected fracture is, of course, external examination and palpation. With their help, you can detect signs such as the appearance of a tumor and increased sensitivity of tissues, as well as the inability to perform movements of the injured part of the body.
The most clear idea of the type and type of fracture can be obtained by x-ray examination. This type of diagnosis allows you to establish the location of bone fragments, their number. As a rule, x-rays are taken in two projections, since this is what allows you to confirm or deny the presence of displacement of bone fragments.
First aid for a fracture
If a fracture is suspected, it is important to immobilize a limb or other injured part of the body as soon as possible using special devices or improvised means. A fracture splint should not only fix it directly, but also nearby joints. It is important to avoid excessive squeezing of soft tissues. If there is an open fracture, an insulating (possibly sterile) dressing is applied to the wound.
Severe pain can be reduced with drugs. Something cold should also be placed at the fracture site: an ice pack, a bottle of water, and more. With a fracture of the ribs, the patient is ligated on the chest while exhaling with elastic material. After these procedures, you can transport the victim to the nearest hospital.