Temperature during a fracture may not occur in all cases, but its appearance indicates serious pathologies and possible complications. If a high fever appears after the fracture, then you must definitely call a doctor. A specialist will be able to assess the situation and determine exactly whether this can be a protective reaction of the body to damage or is it a serious illness.
How does the body respond to a fracture?
Given the action of the traumatic factor, a bone fragment can disrupt the integrity of soft tissues and skin, which can lead to rupture of blood vessels and infection.
In the place where the damage occurred, the inflammatory process begins, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- A person may experience the most acute pain during an injury, since irritation of nerve fibers occurs. A damaged limb needs to be completely rested to reduce pain.
- Severe edema resulting from increased vascular permeability.
- Redness appears due to vasodilation and violation of the integrity of small capillaries, which can lead to hemorrhages and bruises.
- The temperature at the fracture is more local in nature. Such a reaction is considered normal, but if the temperature of the whole body rises, then, most likely, we can talk about complications.
Additionally, other symptoms may occur. It all depends on the location of the injury, the individual characteristics of the body and, of course, on the nature of the injury.
Temperature rise mechanism
It is necessary to take into account the fact that any fracture by the body is perceived as stress, therefore, all manifestations of symptoms are attempts to cope with the current situation. Many people ask: can there be a temperature during a fracture? Of course, yes, and such cases are not uncommon. Consider the main causes of this symptom:
- If the body temperature does not exceed 38 ° C, and in just a few days it will go away on its own, while the patient’s condition does not worsen, then we can assume that this is a reaction of the body to traumatic shock, and there’s nothing to worry about.
- The extent of the damage should also be considered. For example, if there was a fracture of the radius of the arm with a shift, the temperature reaction can be pronounced. The number of fragments is also important: the more there are, the higher the probability of an elevated temperature.
When a high temperature lasts a long time, then there is a chance of developing serious diseases. With an open fracture, an infection can get into the wound, so the patient's well-being worsens, and only an experienced doctor can help in this case.
Arm damage
Hand fractures are most common. With the help of an X-ray, the hospital will be able to determine where the injury is and what its nature is. In case of a fracture of the arm, the victim may notice the presence of symptoms such as swelling and swelling of the extremities, deformation of the bones and their crunching, and paralysis of the fingers may occur. If the fracture is closed, then just remember the rules for applying the tire and immobilize the limb. The arm should be fixed in the elbow. If all actions are performed correctly, then complications and fever can be avoided.
Why does fever rise when a leg is damaged?
A leg fracture is less common than an arm, but the symptoms are similar in most cases. How a person will feel depends on the severity of the fracture and the correct first aid. If you feel sharp or dull pain, but the fracture is closed, you can safely use the knowledge and rules for applying the tire and wait for the ambulance to arrive.
It is considered normal if the victim has a slight temperature, about 37.5. She can go in a week. In the event that the temperature rises sharply, up to 40 degrees, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent the development of gangrene.
Causes of fever
The temperature can increase with injuries of the extremities in both young children and adults. The degree of fever mainly depends on the state of immunity. Consider the main reasons that can lead to an increase in body temperature:
- The body's response to damage.
- Osteomyelitis.
- Embolism.
- Bacterial infection of the wound and the development of sepsis.
If the temperature does not go away for several days, other symptoms begin to occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The reaction of the body in post-traumatic osteomyelitis
When the integrity of the skin is violated during a fracture, there is a risk that pathogenic microbes penetrate the wound. A healthy body can cope and destroy them, but if the immune system is weakened, then inflammation develops. A fracture of the radius of the arm with displacement is dangerous, since many fragments can form. Osteomyelitis lies in the fact that the inflammatory process occurs precisely in the bone tissue. In case of illness, the victim rises to 40 ° C, convulsions, intoxication can occur, and the site of damage becomes hot.
When the temperature rises with a fracture of the arm or leg, you need to call a doctor to begin treatment with antibacterial drugs as soon as possible. Then the chances of a speedy recovery will increase significantly.
Postoperative Osteomyelitis Response
Such a reaction can occur after the patient underwent surgery to restore bone integrity. In general, complications of fractures occur with open injuries and damage to soft tissues. They develop if the patient's immunity is weakened or an infection was introduced during the operation. An increase in temperature is not the worst thing that can happen, since bone and surrounding tissues die out, and this eventually develops into gangrene, which leads to amputation of the limb.
Fat embolism reaction
Fracture temperature can rise due to fat embolism. Such a complication can occur if large bones have been damaged, for example, the humerus or femur. During an injury, adipose tissue enters the bloodstream and spreads with the flow of blood.
A person may experience not only severe fever, other symptoms begin to appear in him, such as shortness of breath, heart failure, coughing, and a decrease in urine volume.
At the first such signs, you should immediately call an ambulance, as this can lead to death.
How long does the fracture hold? How can it be brought down?
Even if the bandage on the arm was fractured in a timely manner and the necessary assistance was provided, this cannot always protect against complications. A successful treatment for a fracture may be if the correct therapy is carried out, which will help the muscles to contract quickly.
By all standards, the temperature may appear on the third day and be observed for another week. If it is low, then this is considered normal, and there is no threat to the body. We must remember that in children, the temperature during a fracture rises to 38 degrees and lasts, like in adults, for three days. If the temperature begins to grow rapidly and reaches 40 degrees, then this may indicate infection, and the help of a doctor is simply necessary. A person who is injured should understand that this will slightly change his usual way of life for a while. It is necessary to be treated correctly, follow all the recommendations prescribed by the doctor, then it will be easy to avoid complications.
Also, much depends on how the first medical aid is provided. For example, the usual bandage on the arm during a fracture makes it less mobile, which means that the bones will not mix further and the general condition of the victim will not worsen. It is important to remember that timely first aid will play an important role in the speedy recovery of the victim, so proceed as follows:
- It is necessary that the limb be motionless, and the victim himself should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
- In no case should you try to align the deformed part of the body. This will lead to pain shock and secondary trauma to soft and hard tissues.
- If bones are visible during a fracture, then you should not try to push them into soft tissues, bone fragments cannot be removed on their own.
- You cannot transport a victim who has broken bones of the spine or pelvis.
- In case of severe pain, the victim is recommended to give an anesthetic. You can use "Analgin."
It is important to remember that in the cold season, it is additionally necessary to create conditions for the victim so that he does not get too cold. You can throw a warm blanket over it and drink hot tea before the ambulance arrives.