Common Symptoms and Effective Diagnosis Methods
Dislocations and fractures are the two most common bone and joint injuries. If the bone slips or moves from the joints, it is known as the dislocation of bones. This mainly occurs due to the sudden impact of a forceful blow or other trauma. The dislocation of bones is common in ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, jaws, fingers, toes, or elbows.
When extreme pressure is applied to the bone, it split or breaks into few pieces. This is known as a fracture. The main causes for fracture are trauma, accident, repetitive stress, the direct blow of pressure, and weakness of bones. Children have more possibility to face fracture.
Types of Fracture
The fractures are mainly classified into three types. They are open fracture, closed fracture, and displaced fracture.
Open Fracture
If the bone is broken with the opening of the skin, it is known as an open fracture. Open fracture gets infected soon. An open fracture requires immediate medication and surgery for better treatment. Surgeons suggest rods and screw for treating the open fracture.
Closed Fracture
Closed fracture has more risk than open fracture. The bone inside the skin gets injured but the skin on closed fracture remains the same. This can be identified using an x-ray. Immobilization of the injured areas is the best treatment for closed fractures.
Displaced Fracture
If the bones are broken into two or more pieces, they are known as displaced fractures. It causes swelling. Keeping the injured area undisturbed be the best treatment for the displaced fracture. Sometimes, experts suggest surgery.
Fractures are subclassified into 10 types. The fracture sub classification comes under open, closed, and displaced fractures. They are listed below.
Transverse Fracture - It looks like a straight line of a crack in a bone.
Spiral Fracture - It usually occurs in long bones, the fracture looks like a spiral in shape.
Greenstick Fracture - Occurs due to bent or broken bones. These fractures mainly occur in children. It is also known as a partial fracture.
Stress Fracture - Stress fractures occur mainly due to repetitive actions like running. It is difficult to diagnose through x-ray. These fractures are also known as hairline fractures
Compression Fracture - This fracture occurs in broken bones. Here, the broken bones will become wider or flatter.
Oblique Fracture - The bone across the diagonal structure is known as oblique fracture
Segmental Fracture - If the same bone broken in two places and left a piece of bone floating is known as a segmental fracture. This type of fracture usually occurs in long bones.
Impacted Fracture - The impacted fracture occurs in the bone if the two broken pieces are jammed together by an external force.
Avulsion Fracture - when a fragment is pulled off the bone causes a tendon or ligament. It is known as an avulsion fracture.
Comminuted Fracture - If the bones are broken into 3 or more pieces, then it is known as a comminuted fracture.
[Image will be Uploaded Soon]
Difference Between Fracture and Dislocation
Fracture mainly occurs due to breaks or cracks in the bone. While dislocation occurs at the connecting joins of bone mainly due to the displacement of bones. The symptoms of fracture dislocation are common. Both look similar before the medical examination.
Symptoms of Fractures
Bleeding, Tenderness, Deformity, severe pain and discomforts, broken skin during open fracture, loss of motion, swelling...etc.
Symptoms of Dislocations
Dislocations cause swelling, immobility at the affected part, intense pain, burning, instability..etc. It is difficult to identify the dislocation of bones with a physical examination.
Only X-ray and scanning are important to diagnose and differentiate fracture and dislocation. Only after the proper diagnosis method, physicians can offer more for the treatment.
Dislocation and Fracture Risk Factors
Fracture dislocation is dangerous and it cannot leave as untreated. The person in the sports field or who is lifting heavy weight or who is working in heights have a high chance to face fractures and dislocation. Other risk factors are accidents, genetic disorders, traumatic events..etc.
List of Factors, Which Increases the Risk of Fracture are:
Smoking
Steroids
Drinking alcohol
Rheumatoid arthritis
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Previous low-impact fractures
Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis
Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
Leaving the fractured or dislocated bone untreated is more dangerous, it can cause severe impacts. It is preferable to contact a trauma specialist for the best remedy. Physicians will start to treat fractures and dislocation only after researching the medical history of patients. They examine the age of patients, bone type, cause, defect rate, rehabilitation rate of the bones to treat the fracture and dislocation. The bone will start to reconstruct after a few weeks to a month of treatment.
The major fracture treatments are of two types. They are plaster and fibreglass cast methods. In extreme cases, splints, braces, and surgery are preferred to treat, it mainly depends on the type and severity of the fracture. Usually, bone has the capability to rebuild on its own, it remains undisturbed. Doctors can treat fracture dislocation through splint or orthopaedic cast or surgery or regular physiotherapist therapy or through medication to promote bone health
FAQs on Fracture and Dislocation of Bone Explained
1. What is the main difference between a bone fracture and a dislocation?
A fracture is a break or crack in the bone itself. A dislocation happens at a joint, where the ends of the bones are forced out of their normal position. In simple terms, a fracture is a broken bone, while a dislocation is a displaced joint.
2. What are the most common causes of fractures and dislocations?
These injuries are most often caused by a sudden impact or trauma. Common causes include:
- Falls from a height or slipping.
- Direct blows or hits during sports or accidents.
- Powerful twisting or bending of a limb.
Sometimes, conditions like osteoporosis, which weakens bones, can cause fractures from even minor stress.
3. What is a fracture-dislocation?
A fracture-dislocation is a serious injury where a joint is dislocated, and one or more of the bones forming that joint are also fractured. It is a combination of both injuries happening at the same time, often requiring complex medical treatment to fix both the broken bone and the displaced joint.
4. What is the correct first aid for a suspected fracture or dislocation?
If you suspect a fracture or dislocation, the most important step is to immobilise the injured area to prevent further damage. Do not try to realign the bone or joint. You should apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain, and seek immediate medical help. Keeping the person calm and still is also very important.
5. Are there different types of fractures?
Yes, fractures are classified in several ways. A key distinction is between a simple (or closed) fracture, where the bone is broken but the skin is intact, and a compound (or open) fracture, where the broken bone pierces through the skin. This second type is more serious due to the high risk of infection.
6. Why is it sometimes more urgent to treat a dislocation than a simple fracture?
While both are serious, a dislocation can be more immediately dangerous because the displaced bones can press on or tear nearby nerves and blood vessels. This can cut off blood supply or cause permanent nerve damage if not corrected quickly. A simple, closed fracture doesn't usually pose this immediate risk to the same degree.
7. In which parts of the body are fracture-dislocations most common?
Fracture-dislocations often happen in joints that experience high impact or a wide range of motion. The most common sites include the ankle, shoulder, elbow, and hip. These joints are frequently injured in sports, vehicle accidents, or serious falls, leading to this complex type of injury.
8. How can a doctor tell the difference between a fracture and a dislocation?
While symptoms like intense pain, swelling, and inability to move the limb are similar for both, a doctor can only confirm the exact injury with an X-ray. An X-ray image clearly shows if a bone is broken (a fracture), if the bones in a joint are out of place (a dislocation), or if both injuries have occurred. A physical examination can give clues, but an X-ray is needed for a definite diagnosis.
