Complicated Fracture Treatment | Complicated Bone Fracture

A bone injury is considered a complicated fracture especially if aside from the fragmented bones there are also lesions found on other joints, nervous trunk, and arteries. Complicated fractures are one of the most dangerous types of bone injuries because it can also cause severe damage on other organs which can lead to other complications. One example is a broken ribcage. In cases like this, the fragmented rib can pierce through the lungs causing detrimental effects on the individual. Most complex fractures also cause internal bleeding so most of the time they need surgery as treatment.

Complicated Fracture Types

• Oblique fracture. This is a type of fracture wherein the crack is diagonal to the long axis of the bone.
• Compacted fracture. This bone injury is the result of two bones that comes from a single bone and the two fragments crushed into each other.
• Transverse Fracture. This fracture has a crack that is positioned on a right angle to the long shaft of the bone.
• Spiral fracture. This is considered a complex fracture wherein one area of the bone is twisted and cracked.

Diagnosis

Complex fractures will definitely need some x-rays so that the physician can properly see the other regions that might have possibly affected by the fragmented bone. There are some cases wherein the x-rays do not clearly show the fracture and in this case there need to be the amplification and sharp imaging of the fracture and these can be provided by the use of MRI or CT scans. Moreover, most complex fractures are generally considered serious cases of fractures that need immediate emergency treatment so a lengthy diagnosis is not needed.  If the complex fracture has caused a wound to the muscles and bone has pierced the skin, the injury should be immediately cleaned to ensure that no infection will develop. However, if the injury hasn’t affected any major internal organs or muscles, the physician may ask the patient to undergo a physical examination. Rehabilitation or rehab is a must.

Causes

• Direct traumas from vehicular accidents, falling, and sports accidents
• A bone exerting stress which causes other bones to change/move places

Complicated Fracture Symptoms

• Swelling
• Deformity
• Inability to move
• Loss of feeling on the affected area
• Feelings of internal pain
• Shock
• Discoloration of the skin due to the internal bleeding of the tissues

Complicated Fracture Treatment

Complicated fractures are mostly severe in nature so they need immediate operation. What is risky about this type of fracture is that it cannot only cause external infection but internal problems as well because other parts of the body near the fracture can be affected. Internal fixation is a type of bone fracture treatment where small metals are placed on the fractured bones to reattach them and get them back to their right places. The metals used in the internal fixation are screws, plates, and wires. These will hold the fragments together until they reattached together. As for the cause of other complicated fractures, other supplementary surgeries may be needed. Complicated fractures can be fatal especially when internal organs are damaged.

If the complicated bone fracture only affected the arteries and other joints, there is a chance that the injury can be treated with the use of external fixation measures. External fixation simply needs the use of slings, casts, braces, and crutches. Sometimes, external fixators are also needed and in this process, metals bars will be connected to the bone and the metal brace will be installed outside the skin to prevent bone mobilization. According to some doctors, having internal fixation is better for complicated fractures because even the smallest fractures can be properly treated. Physical therapy is also a must during treatment.

Complicated Fracture Recovery Time, Healing Time: The injury may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

Prevention of Complicated Bone Injury

Since complicated fractures are caused by extreme traumas commonly received from accidents, being prepared for such situations is the best type of prevention. For possibilities of having a vehicular accident, having airbags or tough seatbelts are the precautionary measures. For someone who deals with sports, proper sports gears are recommended. For racing sports, wearing protective vests can help minimize the chances of having internal organ damage while padding on the arms and legs can prevent injuries on joints.

When to Call a Doctor

Any injury must be immediately consulted to the doctor if it causes extreme pain. For complicated fractures, call your physician immediately if the fracture shows symptoms such as swelling, bruising, deformities, and numbness. If the person with you had an accident and unconscious, this calls for an emergency case as well. If you suspect that severe fractures exist, do not move the person. However, if there is no breathing, do CPR immediately and wait for the ambulance.