Closed Fracture Treatment, Closed Bone Fracture Symptoms, Surgery, Healing Time, Causes and Recovery
Closed fracture is clearly different from open fracture because there is no open wound that shows an exposed fractured bone that is why the term ‘closed’ is used in this type of fracture. However, although it may seem that a closed fracture is no more critical than an open fracture, it can still pose danger to the person because we never know the extent of the injury until further diagnosis is made. There are lots of closed fractures that require surgery and reconnection of bones because the bones are fractured in several pieces but there are also types of closed fractures that only need casting or splinting to immobilize the bone until it heals. The closed treatment of common fractures is possible.
Types of Closed Fracture
Most of the seriousness of closed bone fractures depends on what causes the fracture. So here are the different types are in this major category.
• Displaced fracture. This is the type of closed fracture wherein the bones are displaced due to hard impact or trauma.
• Pathological fracture. Bone cancer or other debilitating bone diseases cause this type of fracture. The bones become lighter because it loses its density, thus even with low impact, the bones can fracture easily. Osteoporosis fracture is also among the list of this type of fracture.
• Hairline or stress fracture. With the stressing of the limbs due to constant and over training, running, and dancing, the bones can develop small hairline fractures that can lead to bigger fractures in the long run.
Diagnosing closed bone fractures must be done by the doctor to enable him to assume the severity of your injury. He will ask you about the history of your injury such as how the accident happens and when did it occur. This will give him assumption on the possible condition of your bone. He will also ask you if you have any past pathological bone disorder or if you have experienced injury before the same as your present injury. Physical examination will further his analysis about your condition followed by X-rays. For cases wherein the ligaments, tendons and nerves may be affected, a more comprehensive imaging is needed thus the use of CT scan or an MRI will reveal everything about the condition of your bones. Rehabilitation or rehab is required.
There can be several causes of closed fractures because bones can break in many different ways. Nevertheless, we name here only the common causes.
• Osteoporosis or other bone pathological causes. Because the calcium in the bones is already depleted due to the degenerative effect of osteoporosis, a mere trauma can make the bones fractured. The most vulnerable parts are the spines and the hip bones because these bones carry the weight of the body. Bone cancer can also make the bones fragile and diseased starting from the bone tissues, ligaments, tendons and the inner tissues of the bone.
• Bone stress. With the overuse of our limbs to the extent of abusing them, the bones can develop small cracks and can weaken the bone structure. The body will feel pain, fatigue, and stress especially on the part where small fractures are present.
• Direct or indirect traumas. Direct traumas include vehicular accidents and direct blows to the bone while indirect traumas are those that are caused by falling from heights, slipping on hard pavements, and from sports injury that twisted and break the bones.
Closed Fracture Symptoms
• For closed bone fractures that involved nerve damage, there can be feeling of tingling sensation on the area and sometimes numbness
• Bruising due to internal hemorrhage, clotting of the blood or due to damaged tissues
• Unbearable pain to the injured area
• Deformities for complete fracture
• Swelling around the injured area
• Increased pain during movement
Closed Fracture Treatment
The treatments used for closed fractures always depend on the seriousness of the injury. However, although closed fractures are quite away from contracting infections, internal hemorrhage can still happen especially if the bone fragments will be damaging the muscles and tissues surrounding the bone. If this is the case, surgery must proceed to repair the damage tissues, ligaments, and tendons and then reconnect the fragmented bones with the use of small metals.
If the fracture is only a simple and incomplete fracture, casting or putting a brace on the injured part is the best option. All types of fractures are painful especially if it is already swelling and the blood is already compressing the nerves. This is why pain relievers are always part of the treatment because without them, the patient may go in shock due to severe pain especially when the anesthesia subsides after the surgery. Physical therapy always follows after the bone has healed to promote muscle strength. Range of motion will be applied as well so that the bone’s ligaments and tendons can regain their solid structure.
Closed Fracture Recovery Time, Healing Time: It may take longer than 2 months.
Prevention of closed bone injury
As it has been said, there would be no fracture if there is no assault to the bone. However, accidents do happen whether we like or not and some people sometimes do not mind if they might sustain fractures as long as they enjoy what they are doing. The best prevention therefore is convincing the people to be aware of their actions and wear protective gears when involving themselves with sports that can possibly injure them. Children at young age must also be warned about the consequences of their actions so most likely they will listen if you can tell them exactly what could happen if they do things dangerously.
When to Call a Doctor
Just watch out for any of the symptoms of bone fracture and you will know if the person need quick medical attention. However, if the person is unconscious and not showing any symptoms of fracture, do not try to move him. He may have suffered from fracture in the neck or the spine or even on the skull so you must not touch the person and call help at once.