Fracture is the break of continuity of the bone. While fractures are seen in young people due to traumas such as falling and accident, they occur in old people due to osteolysis or mild trauma. A fracture in an old patient should be paid attention more than a young patient. If it is not treated, sometimes even a hip fracture may cause the patient to die.
Fracture is grouped as closed and open. With closed fractures, the bone is left under the skin, while with open fracture, the bone tears the skin and gets out due to trauma. And, it is more serious than closed fracture as it has infection risk.
Symptoms of Fractures
- When the fracture occurs, the pain is severe.
- The pain is seen together with swelling.
- Ecchymosis may occur due to a subcutaneous spot of bleeding.
- Structural deformation can be seen in the fractured area.
A wrong intervention to the fracture may result in serious damage. If people try to help with good faith, they may damage the patient much more. Therefore, symptoms should be evaluated well.
When a bone is fractured, a voice can be heard.
Swelling occurs instantly.
The pain starts instantly and is severe. If the fractured area is moved, the pain gets more severe.
Even a mild touch to the fractured area may cause much pain. The fractured area gets very sensitive.
The most important symptom of fracture is shape deformity. However, it should be noted that deformity may not be visible.
What to do at the moment of fracture? (First aid in fracture cases)
In case of a fracture, first of all, you should ask for medical help. The fractured area should be kept still until the help is received. If there is bleeding, a clean cloth should be tied on the fracture. To keep the fractured area stable, a piece of wood or a similar flat and stable plate should placed under the fractured area. All these procedures should be done by an informed person. A wrong intervention may worsen the situation.
In addition to this;
If the trauma occurs in the arm, accessories such as ring, bracelet and watch should be taken off to prevent edema.
If there is an open fracture, the wound should be covered with a clean cloth to prevent infection.
The color and heat of the skin should be controlled.
Impulses should be avoided.
Medical help should be received as soon as possible.
Fracture Treatment
The fracture is diagnosed with an examination by the physician. X-ray imaging and MRI are performed for final diagnosis and to determine the type, shape, and severity of the fracture. Fracture treatment varies depending on age of the patient, location and severity of the fracture. The treatment plan may vary depending on segmental fracture and open fracture. If plaster treatment is applied, duration of the plaster is determined by the physician.
Dislocation
Dislocation is the deformity of the joint structure. While fracture means break of continuity of the bone, in dislocation cases, connected bones are displaced from the joint. While some dislocation cases are congenital, some of them may be caused by traumas such as traffic accidents, falling and hitting. If trauma-related dislocation, called acute dislocation is not treated, it results in chronic dislocation. Chronic dislocation may occur if the patient fails to apply prescribed treatment.
Symptoms of Dislocation
- Pain,
- Swelling,
- Change in color,
- Deformity,
- Restricted movement,
- Numbness and tingling feeling.
What to do at the moment of Dislocation?
The first rule is keeping the injured person still and wait for specialist help. If you try to fix the dislocation by yourself, you may cause irrevocable damage. Ice treatment can be applied to the dislocated area until the help is received. Ice treatment helps to prevent pain and swelling.
In which areas does the dislocation occur?
Dislocation may occur in every joint. There are finger dislocation, wrist dislocation, elbow dislocation, shoulder dislocation, hip dislocation, knee dislocation, ankle dislocation.
Dislocation Treatment
Dislocation is diagnosed with a medical examination. X-ray imaging and MRI can be performed for final diagnosis. After final diagnosis, the treatment is determined. It may be placed by hand or surgery may be required. The physician may fix the dislocation in a suitable position of the patient depending on location and condition of the dislocation. After the bones are placed, splint, strap or plaster can be used to keep the area stable. Mild painkillers can be prescribed for possible pain. In some dislocation cases, surgery may be required. For example, as shoulder dislocation reoccurs in young patients by 90 percent, dislocation treatment can be done with arthroscopic surgery. After the procedures, a good physical therapy process is essential to enable the damaged area gain movement ability.
