Fractures Specialist
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Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute
Orthopedic Surgeons located in Tuscaloosa, AL
Broken bones are common unexpected injuries. Proper healing of a broken bone is essential in order to prevent deformities or complications. Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Bryan King, MD, and his team at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute in Northport, Alabama, specialize in managing fractures and can provide the expert care you need to heal properly. For an appointment, call the office or request online today.
Fractures Q & A
What is a fracture?
A fracture is a general term used to describe a break in your bone. Fractures can happen in a fall, car accident, or sports injury. You can also be at risk of fractures if you have osteoporosis, a bone disease that causes your bones to be more porous and weak, putting them more at risk of breaking.
Bone fractures usually cause a sudden onset of pain followed by swelling and tenderness. You could also experience numbness and difficulty moving your limbs.
How many kinds of fractures are there?
Fractures are never simple, but the kind of fracture you have will determine the treatment you need. Fracture types include:
Greenstick
With a greenstick fracture, your bone is only broken partway through.
Transverse
A transverse fracture is a complete break through the entire bone.
Compression
A compression fracture means your bone has been crushed and may be in several pieces.
Open
If the bone has pierced your skin, it’s considered an open fracture.
Spiral
A twisting injury can lead to a spiral fracture, which causes the bone to be broken in a ringlike spiral.
SegmentalÂ
A segmental fracture means that your bone is broken in two pieces with one piece separated from the other.
Comminuted
A comminuted fracture indicates that your bone is broken in pieces with a separation in the middle.
Oblique
An oblique fracture indicates a break across the bone.
Diagnostic testing is used to determine what kind of fracture you have. If you suspect you have a broken bone, immediate medical attention is necessary to make sure it heals properly.
What treatments of fractures are available?
Treatment of your fracture depends on the type of fracture you have, your age, and your overall health. Your treatment plan at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute is focused on managing pain, healing the bone properly, preventing complications, and restoring the normal function of the bone.
Your treatment can include casting or splinting the bone to keep it from moving and allowing it to heal and taking pain medication.
If your break is severe, the team at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute could recommend pin track and external fixation. This device holds your bones together with special screws to keep them in proper alignment and allow them to heal.
Fractures require expert medical care to ensure proper healing. For a consultation with the orthopedic experts at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute, call the office or request an appointment online today.
