What is a consolidated fracture? We will talk about this in this article. You will also learn about how the healing of fractures occurs, why the patient's recovery can slow down and how the treatment of injuries occurs.
basic information
Consolidated fracture - this diagnosis is given to many injured patients. But not all patients know what this conclusion means.
Seeing such a strange phrase in their medical book, most people are completely at a loss. Most often, this term is associated with any serious pathology. However, a consolidated fracture is not a big deal.
What is a fracture?
A surgeon, a traumatologist are those specialists who are contacted by people with a bone fracture.
Fracture - a partial or complete violation of the integrity of bone tissue that occurred during a load several times higher than the strength of the damaged section of the skeleton. Such a pathological condition can occur not only due to injury, but also as a result of various diseases, which are accompanied by significant changes in the strength properties of bones.
Turning to a free or paid emergency room, a patient with an injury immediately receives treatment. It depends on the severity of the fracture, which, in turn, is due to the size of the broken bones, as well as their number.
It should be especially noted that multiple fractures of the tubular bones (large) very often lead to traumatic shock and the development of severe blood loss. However, by contacting a free or paid emergency room on time, such pathologies can be avoided. By the way, patients after receiving such injuries recover very slowly. Their recovery period may take several months.
Consolidated fracture - what is it?
The term "consolidation" is of Latin origin. It consists of two syllables, which translate as “together” and “strengthen”. In other words, consolidation means: unification, strengthening, integration or cohesion of something.
So what is a consolidated fracture? Experts say this is a medical term that refers to an already fused fracture with bone marrow formation.
The ideal and complete fusion of the injured skeleton occurs in the following cases:
- with good fixation of broken bones;
- with a complete and perfect comparison of bone fragments;
- when restoring blood circulation in the area of ​​bone damage;
- when restoring or maintaining innervation in the area of ​​bone damage.
Secondary intergrowth
Secondary healing of fractures with the formation of cartilage callus occurs when:
- incomplete comparison of parts of bone fragments;
- poor fixation of the fracture;
- relative mobility of bone fragments;
- untimely immobilization;
- circulatory disorders, as well as innervation in the area of ​​bone fracture.
Why is the fracture not fused?
Surgeon, traumatologist - these are the specialists who can answer the question of why in some cases a bone fracture does not grow together. According to them, this phenomenon has several reasons. Imagine them right now:
- violation of the immobilization of the bone (damaged), as well as the displacement of its elements relative to each other;
- incomplete or incorrect comparison of bone fragments;
- violation of innervation in the field of fracture and local blood circulation.
A traumatologist leaves home only in extremely difficult cases. It is very important that the specialist is competent. Indeed, in case of serious fractures, it is necessary to combine damaged bone tissue so that they fully consolidate. However, it should be noted that such intergrowth depends not only on the qualifications of the doctor. Indeed, all layers of bone tissues (for example, endoost, periosteum and Haversian canals) should be included in the regeneration process.
It is impossible not to say that, together with the natural physiological processes of restoring the integrity of the skeleton, the resorption of post-traumatic hematoma also occurs. By the way, bone marrow during regeneration has the appearance of a small spindle-shaped thickening.
Periods of formation and layers of bone marrow
A consolidated fracture of the ribs and other parts of the skeleton is a fairly common occurrence. In the process of bone restoration, bone marrow is formed.
Such regeneration takes place in three periods:
- the development of inflammation (aseptic) at the fracture site;
- bone formation process;
- bone marrow remodeling.
Thus, at the site of injury in humans, there is an intensive reproduction of Haversian canal cells and endosteum, as well as connective tissue and periosteum. This process leads to the formation of bone marrow at the fracture site. It consists of four layers:
- paraossal;
- intermediate;
- periosteal;
- endosteal.
5-6 days after the immediate injury, the defect between the bone fragments begins to fill with fibroblasts, osteoblast cells and small vessels that form osteoid tissue.
It should also be noted that 3 stages of bone marrow formation are distinguished. These include:
- fibrous;
- cartilaginous;
- bone.
How long does bone marrow form?
The formation of bone marrow is a rather lengthy process. The terms of her education are as follows:
- Primary (lasts 4-5 weeks).
- Secondary (after 5-6 weeks).
It should also be noted that the corn at the fracture site undergoes restructuring for several years. This is due to the fact that osteoblasts contribute to the resorption of the ends of bone fragments, fragments and fragments, and also eliminate the excessive formation of corns.
In the event that the traumatologist called to the house, as well as the patient himself, created all the optimal conditions for the fusion of bone elements, then the fracture consolidates (within a few weeks or months).
How long do bones grow together? According to experts, the older a person, the worse his recovery occurs. For example, a fracture of the femoral neck can confine the old man to bed, provoking complications such as congestive pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism, pressure sores, and others.
Why is consolidation slowing down?
Not always, and not all people, bone fractures heal quickly and without any consequences. In some cases, the consolidation of the injured area is significantly slowed down. What is the reason for this phenomenon?
The common causes of delayed bone growth include the following:
- diabetes mellitus, thin bones, violation of parathyroid gland discounts;
- old age, female gender, ovarian cyst, malnutrition;
- exhaustion, multiple pregnancy, stress;
- short stature, certain medications, dysmenorrhea;
- oncology, smoking, removed ovaries, transplantation of internal organs, etc.
With regard to local causes, they include:
- infection in the wound;
- circulatory disturbance;
- severe crushing of soft tissues during trauma;
- multiple fractures;
- foreign objects entering the wound;
- tissue interposition and so on.
Fracture treatment
What to do in case of a fracture and how to achieve fast bone growth? First of all, you need to see a doctor. When the bones are displaced, the doctor must straighten them and fix in this position by applying gypsum.
What to do in case of a fracture, besides contacting the emergency room? To make the fracture heal faster, experts recommend taking anabolic hormones and mummies. Physiotherapy and exposure to trauma by an electromagnetic field are also acceptable.
The consequences of improper treatment
Consolidated fracture is the best outcome for a person’s injury. However, it should be noted that in the absence of proper treatment, consolidation may not occur or slow down.
Experts say that the following conditions are signs of slow bone fusion:
- mobility (pathological) of bones at the fracture site;
- severe pain in the area of ​​damage;
- a gap between bone fragments, noticeable during x-ray examination.
It should also be noted that in childhood, the process of restoration and regeneration of damaged bone tissue is faster and easier than in elderly and adult people. Very often, incorrect skeletal fusion leads to the formation of a false joint. Such joints can cause a number of serious health problems, as well as cause aesthetic discomfort.