Closed Fracture

A bone fracture is a common occurrence, typically caused by accidents or injuries (sometimes, even due to health conditions that weaken the bones). It can be unbearably painful and restrict movement of the patient for several weeks. A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but does not penetrate the skin as opposed to an open fracture, in which there is skin penetration of the bone. Closed fractures require surgery or treatment but not on an urgent basis as there is no risk of infection associated with the wound.

However, there can be severe soft tissue injuries that might require immediate attention or surgical intervention. Learn more about closed fractures and its treatment.

A bone fracture is a common occurrence, typically caused by accidents or injuries (sometimes, even due to health conditions that weaken the bones). It can be unbearably painful and restrict movement of the patient for several weeks. A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but does not penetrate the skin as opposed to an open fracture, in which there is skin penetration of the bone. Closed fractures require surgery or treatment but not on an urgent basis as there is no risk of infection associated with the wound.

However, there can be severe soft tissue injuries that might require immediate attention or surgical intervention. 

Closed fractures can cause severe pain and swelling in the affected area. The severity of the symptoms might also depend on a person's age and his/her general health. However, there are some common symptoms such as:

1. Bruising in the affected area
2. Discolouration of the skin
3. Inability to move the affected area
4. Swelling 
5. Snapping or grinding sound during movement
6. A burning sensation in the affected area
7. Minor bleeding if there is tissue damage
8. Inability to put weight or pressure on the affected area
9. Noticeable bump, bend or twist if there is a major crack in the bone

1. Although bones are quite strong and not easily breakable, excessive pressure can cause cracks and breakage. Most likely, a bone runs into such a force due to events like car crashes, sports accidents, etc.
2. Repetitive force on a certain body part can tire muscles and put more pressure on the bone, which can also cause fractures.
3. It is most likely to happen to athletes who regularly put pressure on certain bones while running, jumping, etc or due to sports injuries.
4. Such fractures can also be caused due to falls, trauma or gunshot wounds that put severe impact on the bone.
5. One more common reason for closed fractures is weak bones. Bones can get weak due to certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis. They may also lose their strength due other certain reasons such as old age, excessive alcohol consumption, and ongoing endocrine or intestinal orders.
6. Post menopause, women face a deficiency of calcium which can cause weakening of bones, making them prone to closed fractures. 

The following instances can increase a person’s risk of getting a bone fracture:

1. Age tends to weaken the bones and make them prone to fractures.
2. Excessive pressure on certain body parts can put more impact on the bones under the muscles.
3. Injuries
4. Bones also get weak due to certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis.
5. Calcium deficiency can also lead to bone fractures, especially in women after menopause.
6. Arthritis also increases inflammation and pain in bones, which can lead to fractures.
7. Old injuries of the bone can make that particular area more exposed to fractures later as well due to less strength.
8. Diabetes also reduces bone density which can lead to severe bone damage.
9. Other lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, etc. can also enhance the risk of bone damage leading to fractures.

A professional might adopt different ways to examine your injury:

1. X-Ray: This offers a two-dimensional picture of the break or crack of the bone. Most of the time, doctors suggest an x-ray to examine the fractured site.
2. MRI: MRI provides detailed images of the affected site by using magnetic fields. This helps examine stress fractures.
3. Bone Scan: If the fracture does not show up in an x-ray, the doctor suggests a bone scan to get an idea about the intensity of the injury.
4. CT Scan: To get an image of the cross-sections of the bone, a CT scan is done by using a computer and x-rays.

There are several ways to treat a closed fracture. 

Internal Fixation: If the fracture is quite severe, an external piece of metal, such as a plate, rod, pin, etc., is used to fix the position of the bone from where it is broken. This allows the bone to heal and realign in the right position.

External Fixation: If the cracked or broken bone threatens the surrounding soft tissues, then doctors try to avoid surgical procedures so that the rest of the body part does not get damaged. In this case, an external fixation is done to secure the bone in place with the help of rods and plates.

Cast: Casts are also a type of external fixation. They are used in cases when the fracture is not severe. A white cast or bandage helps in holding the cracked bone in place for proper alignment. This also protects the healing bone from further impact or pressure.

If a broken or cracked bone is not immediately given the medical care required, it can lead to permanent deformity of the bone. The bone can also form a union with the surrounding bones and tissues on its own while healing in a disoriented shape. The pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising might continue to worsen over time.