Fractures

Fractures
Fractures

Overview Of Fractures

If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture (compound fracture).

A stress break in the bone develops because of repeated or prolonged forces against the bone. The repeated stress weakens the bone until it finally breaks.

Commonly Associated With

Bone – broken; Stress break; Bone break

Causes Of Fractures

The following are common causes of broken bones:

  • Fall from a height
  • Trauma
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Direct blow
  • Child abuse
  • Repetitive forces, such as those caused by running, can cause stress breaks of the foot, ankle, tibia, or hip

Symptoms

Symptoms of a broken bone include:

  • A visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
  • Swelling, bruising or bleeding
  • Intense pain
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Broken skin with bone protruding
  • Limited mobility or inability to move a limb