Fractures Overview
A fracture – also known as a broken bone – is typically caused by some sort of traumatic mishap – a fall from a ladder or skateboard, a violent collision on the football field, an automobile accident. In some cases – a broken toe – fractures don’t even demand a trip to the doctor. In other cases – a broken hip – treatment of a fracture may require surgery and hospitalization.
There are two major types of fractures, or broken bones. When the bone is broken, but doesn’t break through that skin, it is called a closed or simple fracture. If the bone is broken and cuts through the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture.
Symptoms
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Deformity of the affected limb
Risk Factors
- Osteoporosis, a condition found in older adults that causes the bones to become more brittle
- High-speed sports activities such as football, snow skiing, skating and hockey sometimes involve falls that lead to fractures
- Poor nutrition. A lack of calcium and vitamin D early in life increases the risk of fractures, or broken bones.