{"id":1463,"date":"2024-03-12T16:18:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T20:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=1463"},"modified":"2025-10-17T19:31:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T23:31:06","slug":"bone-fracture-treatment-and-treatment-complications","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/bone-fracture-treatment-and-treatment-complications\/","title":{"raw":"Bone Fracture - Treatment and Treatment Complications","rendered":"Bone Fracture – Treatment and Treatment Complications"},"content":{"raw":"

First Aid Treatment:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nFirst aid for bone fractures must take place immediately and involves the following steps:\r\n\r\nCall for an ambulance if injury is severe and\/or transport to hospital by vehicle is not possible.\r\n\r\nCarefully move person away from further danger.\u00a0 Cover open wound with sterile dressing.\r\n\r\nTry not to move fracture to prevent further damage to soft tissue.\u00a0 Splint for support if possible\/required and ensure immobilization of fracture.\r\n\r\nRICE method involves: Rest, Ice (cold compress), Compression, Elevation) to reduce inflammation and pain.\r\n\r\nKeep patient warm, calm, and check for signs of shock while transporting patient to the hospital\u2019s emergency department.\u00a0 Signs of shock include:\u00a0 pallor, diaphoresis (excess sweating), hypotension, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting.\r\n\r\nProvide emotional support.\r\n

Medical Treatment:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nTreatment by the health care team will involve cleaning of the wound, realignment of the bone ends, and reduction (minimizing the gap between broken ends using pins, plates, wires, traction, casts, splints, bone grafts and\/or bone cement).\u00a0 Traction involves applying force to maintain alignment and limited muscle spasms.\u00a0\u00a0 The better the alignment and reduction, the greater the chance for optimal healing and full recovery. \u00a0Ensuring good circulation is also important.\r\n\r\nElectrical or ultrasound stimulation are sometimes performed to encourage bone healing.\r\n\r\nOpen wounds are often treated prophylactically with antibiotics to reduce chances of infection.\u00a0 At times, anti-inflammatories and analgesics are prescribed.\u00a0 A healthy diet is recommended, as is limiting smoking and alcohol consumption to facilitate healing.\r\n\r\nImmobilization is maintained with casts, pins, plates etc. and no weight bearing is permitted until the bone has healed sufficiently.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2498\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]\"Intramedullary<\/a> Intramedullary Pin[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOften rehabilitative exercises (e.g., stretches, physiotherapy) are prescribed and introduced when ready to maintain range of motion and encourage circulation.\u00a0 Once the bone has healed enough to support weight, casts can be removed and rehabilitation exercises, begin to include exercises to help surrounding muscles and joints regain strength.\u00a0 After months of immobilization, there will have been some muscle atrophy, and strengthening of muscle, joints and bone will typically be desired by the patient.\r\n\r\nOften x-rays are used during the healing process to ensure that the bone is healing well and is in proper alignment.\r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

First Aid Treatment:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First aid for bone fractures must take place immediately and involves the following steps:<\/p>\n

Call for an ambulance if injury is severe and\/or transport to hospital by vehicle is not possible.<\/p>\n

Carefully move person away from further danger.\u00a0 Cover open wound with sterile dressing.<\/p>\n

Try not to move fracture to prevent further damage to soft tissue.\u00a0 Splint for support if possible\/required and ensure immobilization of fracture.<\/p>\n

RICE method involves: Rest, Ice (cold compress), Compression, Elevation) to reduce inflammation and pain.<\/p>\n

Keep patient warm, calm, and check for signs of shock while transporting patient to the hospital\u2019s emergency department.\u00a0 Signs of shock include:\u00a0 pallor, diaphoresis (excess sweating), hypotension, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n

Provide emotional support.<\/p>\n

Medical Treatment:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Treatment by the health care team will involve cleaning of the wound, realignment of the bone ends, and reduction (minimizing the gap between broken ends using pins, plates, wires, traction, casts, splints, bone grafts and\/or bone cement).\u00a0 Traction involves applying force to maintain alignment and limited muscle spasms.\u00a0\u00a0 The better the alignment and reduction, the greater the chance for optimal healing and full recovery. \u00a0Ensuring good circulation is also important.<\/p>\n

Electrical or ultrasound stimulation are sometimes performed to encourage bone healing.<\/p>\n

Open wounds are often treated prophylactically with antibiotics to reduce chances of infection.\u00a0 At times, anti-inflammatories and analgesics are prescribed.\u00a0 A healthy diet is recommended, as is limiting smoking and alcohol consumption to facilitate healing.<\/p>\n

Immobilization is maintained with casts, pins, plates etc. and no weight bearing is permitted until the bone has healed sufficiently.<\/p>\n

\"Intramedullary<\/a>
Intramedullary Pin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Often rehabilitative exercises (e.g., stretches, physiotherapy) are prescribed and introduced when ready to maintain range of motion and encourage circulation.\u00a0 Once the bone has healed enough to support weight, casts can be removed and rehabilitation exercises, begin to include exercises to help surrounding muscles and joints regain strength.\u00a0 After months of immobilization, there will have been some muscle atrophy, and strengthening of muscle, joints and bone will typically be desired by the patient.<\/p>\n

Often x-rays are used during the healing process to ensure that the bone is healing well and is in proper alignment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Media Attributions<\/h2>