Bone injuries are a normal thing that happens in life due to accidents, sports or the aging process. But in describing the injuries, there is usually a mix up of words between a break and a fracture. But do they mean exactly the same? In this blog, we will investigate the key differences between break and fracture of a bone, examine medical terms, symptoms, treatment courses, and the myths.

What is the difference between a break and a fracture?

When the term break is mentioned to most people their first thought is usually that of a bone which is either split apart or totally severed. Fracture is, however, a more technical term that is used in medical institutions to identify any type of bone fracture such as a small crack or a complete breakage. In a word, a fracture and a break are one and the same phenomenon and fractures are just the name used in the medical field of a break.

The Longer View of Bone Fractures

There are various categories of fracture based on the severity and the kind of the injury. Some typical classes of the fracture are as follows:

• Closed fractures: These are the fractures in which the bone is broken but does not come through the skin.
• Open fractures: These are also called as the compound fractures whereby the bone breaks and comes out of the skin.
• Stress fractures: These are tiny cracks in the bone that were frequently caused by overuse, or repeat stress fractures.
• Fractures with comminution: The fracture in this case involves the broken bone into a number of pieces.
• Greenstick fractures: This happens to children where the bone bends and cracks but does not break completely.

The knowledge about the types of fractures may facilitate the determination of the extent of injury and the treatment plan.

Ordinary Causes of Fractured Bones

There are various causes of fractures, which are either as a result of traumatic Wikipedia occurrences or due to repetitive stress. The most prevalent causes are the following:

Falls, car accidents, and sports related injuries are the common causes of bone fractures.

• Osteoporosis: The bones of an old person are less strong and easily broken.
• Repetitive stress: These stress fractures are caused by over use of repetitive movements by the athlete or a worker.
• High-impact trauma: Fall from a height or heavy object falling on the body or any other high impact physical damage may break the bones.

Of course, fractures are known to be connected with the traumas of high impact, but they may be also caused by less extreme forces on the bones.

What are the Ways of Recognizing a Fracture

It is very important to understand the steps to diagnose a fractured bone early so that treatment can be done accordingly. The possible symptoms of a fracture are as follows:

• Pain and tenderness: It is usually specific to the traumatized region and can increase with movement.
• Restlessness: Fractures may lead to irritability, as there is inflammation around the affected bone this causes restlessness.
• Deformity or wrong positioning: this happens when the bone is badly broken or in a wrong position making the limb to seem to be misshapen or bent in an abnormal manner.
• Difficulty in moving an affected limb: A break in the limb may interfere with a person bearing weight or moving the part.
• Open fractures: In the open fractures, the bone can be seen through the skin.

When any of these symptoms arise, it is pertinent to look out and seek medical help because this is how they can be diagnosed and treated effectively.

Physician Opinions on Broken Bones

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Davis of the well known Bone Health Clinic describes the difference between breaks and fractures to many people as confusing. There is however no difference in meaning between them. Any distinction of crack or break of the bone no matter how severe it is called a fracture. The nature of the injury and its cause can only help in defining the best form of treatment that should be used.”

According to Dr. Davis, treatment of most fractures will be achieved through a combination of immobilization and rest although most will depend on the severity of the fracture that might require surgery. Surgery may also be conducted in some cases like in cases of open fractures to correct the bone.

The treatment and Healing; Break or Fracture

Although the term break can be more harsh, treatment of a broken bone is more or less the same as treatment of a fracture because it is what you are dealing with. Treatment The most prevalent methods of treatment are as follows:

1. Casting or splinting: Casting or splinting is a common method of treatment of many fractures so as to provide the bone with the necessary healing environment.
2. Surgical intervention: In severe type of fractures, like comminuted and open fractures surgery may be required to reposition the bone and refasten it with metal pins or plates.
3. Physical therapy: Once the bone is healed, it may be necessary to take up physical therapy to gain flexibility and strength on the concerned area.
4. Pain management: One can use over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to handle the pain during the recovery period.

Depending on the nature and location of the injury, the process of healing fractures can take between 6 and 8 weeks however most of the fractures take this duration. Nevertheless, medical advice should be adhered to during the period of recovery to allow healing.

Psychological Effect of Bone Injuries

Although the physical ramifications of a fracture are usually given first priority, the emotional and psychological effects cannot and must not be dismissed. Bone losses may cause complainants to experience frustration, depression or anxiety particularly when the condition deprives them of their habitual activities.

To sportspeople, especially, a fracture can be a stressor because one might be concerned she or he will not be able to continue playing. Likewise, when a person depends on physical activity, either in work, like construction workers or dancers, a fracture may lead to loss of income and to put a strain on them.

A fracture can be very stressful emotionally; support is needed through family, friends, and health care providers. Moreover, it is important that people remain active in low-stress activities and consult a counselor in case of need to cope with the psychological side of a bone injury.

Prevention There is no rocket science in avoiding cracks and breakages of the bones. This is only made possible by preventing bone breaks and fractures.

Although some accidents cannot be prevented, you can reduce the chances of a fracture by the following steps:

• Promote healthy bones: Calcium has been known to maintain healthy bones especially when the diet is accompanied by high level of vitamin D. Generally, weight bearing exercises such as walking or weight training can help improve bone density.
• Reduce falling risk: By making sure your house doesn t have anything that can trip you, hold onto and use hang rails on stairs, and wearing the right shoes, we can help older adults prevent falling.
• Keep moving: Be constantly active and stretch regularly to help keep you flexible so that you do not fall and injure yourself.
• Wear protection: Sports and other high-risk activities require a certain degree of protective equipment; wearing such items will help protect you.

You can lessen the chances of having an accident by acting early to nurture your bones and avoid suffering a fracture or break.

Conclusion: Knowing How to Take Breaks and Fractures in order to have better bones.

Overall, the terms break and fracture can be used at random as they are both describing the occurrence of any kind of injury to the bone. Fracture is a medical term, but knowing how and why a fracture occurs and how one can be treated would prove beneficial to maintain the health of bones.

In case you have a fracture or you want to prevent it, it is essential to pay attention to staying strong bones and accessing the medical care on time when it is necessary. Although the terminology might look complicated, the treatment of the bone injury is possible with the help of the right knowledge and care to achieve the complete recovery.

Having knowledge and being on guard will allow you to preserve your bones and lead an active life long into old age.

you may also like

Sugar Test Machine: A Game-Changer to keep track of sugar levels in the UAE