What is a fracture
A fracture is the medical definition for a break or crack in a bone. They are among the most common types of injuries, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. A bone may fracture if it experiences more stress than it can handle, and this break can range anywhere from a hairline crack to a complete separation into two or more pieces. They are usually caused by trauma such as a fall, a car accident or a sports injury but some medical conditions and repetitive forces (like running) can increase your risk of experiencing certain types of fractures.
Types of Fractures
Common types include:
Simple (or Closed) Fractures: The bone breaks but does not penetrate the skin.
Compound (or Open) Fractures: The bone breaks and protrudes through the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
Greenstick Fractures: Common in children, where the bone bends and cracks but doesn’t break completely.
Comminuted Fractures: The bone is shattered into multiple pieces, often resulting from high-impact trauma
What are the symptoms
Symptoms of a fracture include:
· Pain
· Swelling
· Tenderness
· Inability to move a part of your body that you usually can
· Bruising or discolouration
· A deformity or bump that isn’t usually there
If you have the above symptoms due to a trauma or injury, then you should seek medical advice. Your doctor may then refer you to have imaging such as an x-ray to determine if there is a break.
How can it be treated?
If you break a bone, you might need surgery to repair it, but some people only need a splint, cast, brace or sling for their bone to heal. The type of intervention you’ll need depends on which of your bones are fractured, where the fracture is and what caused it.
Some fractures may need to be ‘put back in place’ before they can be casted and allowed time to heal. This procedure is done in hospital, with the bones realigned (reduction) and a plaster cast is applied to the affected limb, usually for a minimum of 6 weeks but this can be longer in some cases.
How long does it take for my bone to heal?
Depending on the location, type of fracture and quality of the person’s bones, fracture healing can take between 6 and 12 weeks. Other factors such as the patient’s medical history and lifestyle choices (like smoking) can influence healing rates.
You will usually be sent for a follow up Xray at the time when you will be showing signs of healing to determine how well the bones are fusing back together. Some fractures may need more detailed imaging such as an MRI or CT.
What can physiotherapy do for a fracture?
Physiotherapy plays an important role in the recovery and rehabilitation process following a fracture. You may require a physiotherapist for the initial management to apply your cast, sling, a special boot to reduce weight bearing or any other immobilisation device that is advised by your doctor.
Physio also plays a key role once the bone is stabilised, either through casting, splinting, or surgical fixation by enhancing mobility, strength, and function, reducing pain, and preventing complications allowing individuals to return to their pre-injury activities and maintain a high quality of life.
Sydney Physiotherapy & Injury Clinic Fracture Clinic
Here at our clinic, we have now introduced a new fracture clinic where our doctors and physiotherapists will manage simple fractures that don’t require surgery all within our clinic eliminating the need for you to spend hours in hospital waiting rooms. Our physios have extensive experience working in the management of fractures including casting, splinting, and fitting immobilisation devices. We can also assist with your rehabilitation process after the bone has mended helping you make a full and efficient recovery.
The list of fractures we manage entirely in clinic is below. If you have had an x-ray showing acute simple, minimally displaced fracture of the following:
· Clavicle and AC joint Injury (Grade1/2)
· Radial head/neck (Mason I/II)
· Distal radius
· Scaphoid
· Triquetral avulsion
· Weber A/ lateral malleolus avulsion
· Tarsal avulsion
· Metatarsal, including base of 5th
· Toe
If you or someone you know is recovering from a fracture, book an appointment with one of our friendly physios for an assessment.
Written by
Cathal O’Kane
Senior Physiotherapist
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