Traumatologue - Orthopédiste
Fracture Care
Services > Fracture Care
Fracture Care
Fracture care is the medical care provided to repair and manage the injury to bones and surrounding tissues caused by a fracture.
The consequences of a fracture can range from minor to severe, depending on the type and location of the fracture.
Fractures can be classified as:
Stress Fractures: They are small cracks in the bone that typically result from overuse activities, like running or jumping.
Non-Displaced Fractures: Happen when a bone breaks partially or completely, but stays in its normal position. Most of these non-displaced fractures can be treated conservatively in our medical office.
Displaced Fractures: These type of fractures occur when bone fragments shift out of their normal position and get misaligned. Such fractures require more intensive treatment, which may either include closed reduction that aims to manually realign the bones without invasive surgery, or open reduction in more severe cases, which involves a surgical intervention to realign them.
Compound Fractures: Also called open fractures, these injuries happen when a bone breaks and pierces through the skin, increasing the chance of infection and requiring urgent medical treatment.
Comminuted Fractures: In these type of fractures, the bone shatters into several pieces, often requiring surgery to fix the damage.
Most common causes of Fractures:
-
Traumatic injuries: such as falls, accidents, or sports injuries.
-
Overuse injuries: they are often the result of repetitive motions that strain the muscles and put added pressure on the bones, potentially leading to stress fractures.
-
Osteoporosis: a common condition that occurs as people age, causing bones to become porous and fragile and increasing the risk of fractures. About 50% of women and 25% of men sustain a fracture due to this condition at some point in their lives.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
First, a thorough assessment of the fracture will be conducted, this includes X-ray imaging tests to determine the type, location, and severity of the fracture. Next, treatment options will be considered based on each patient’s case.
Depending on the severity of your fracture, Dr. Errachid will assess if conservative treatments and approaches are sufficient to let the broken bone heal by itself with time or opt for surgical intervention in severe cases.
Conservative treatments include: manual reduction, immobilization with a cast or other orthotic devices to minimize movement and stabilise the fracture so that the bone heals optimally, as well as physical therapy and PRP injections to speed up and support the healing process.
In complicated cases —such as severely displaced fractures, open fractures and comminuted fractures— early interventions are needed to manage the bleeding, prevent bone death and remove any sources of infection. Following that, a surgical intervention is scheduled to repair the damage. This procedure involves using fixation devices —including plates, screws, and rods for internal fixation, or external frames for external fixation— to stabilize the bone fragments and realign them back into their proper position. Immobilization with casting to provide additional support and stability post-surgery may or may not be needed.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you have suffered a fracture and need medical care, don’t hesitate. Call us or book an appointment online today!
Dr. Errachid will provide you with all the necessary care you need to manage and treat your fracture.
A: Common signs and symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, and difficulty moving the affected area. In some cases, you may hear a snap or grinding sound at the time of the injury.
A: If you suspect you have a fracture, it's important to seek medical attention promptly from your traumatologist. Avoid moving the affected area and apply ice to reduce swelling and pain. If the fracture is open (bone is protruding through the skin), cover the wound with a clean cloth and seek emergency care immediately.
A: Fractures are typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Your traumatologist will assess your symptoms, examine the affected area, and order the appropriate tests to determine the type and extent of the fracture.
A: The healing time for a fracture varies depending on the type, location, and severity of the injury, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Most fractures heal within 6-8 weeks, but some may take longer. Your traumatologist, Dr. Errachid, will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
A: The timeline for returning to normal activities after a fracture depends on the type and location of the injury, as well as your individual healing progress. Your traumatologist will provide guidance on when it is safe to resume specific activities and will recommend a gradual return to full function.
A: Potential complications of fractures include:
- Delayed or non-union (when the bone fails to heal properly).
- Infection, particularly with open fractures
- Nerve or blood vessel damage.
- Arthritis or joint stiffness.
- Compartment syndrome (increased pressure within a muscle compartment)
Regular follow-up with your traumatologist doctor and adhering to your treatment plan will help reduce the risk of complications and promote optimal healing.
A: No, not all fractures require surgical intervention. Many fractures can be successfully treated with immobilization, allowing the bone to heal properly. The need for surgery depends on the severity and location of the fracture, as well as other factors that your traumatologist will evaluate.
A: Surgery can be considered in cases where the fracture is complex, unstable, or involves joints. The goals of surgical intervention are to realign the fractured bones and stabilize them with implants, such as plates, screws, or rods, to promote proper healing and prevent complications.
A: The surgical procedure depends on the nature and severity of the fracture. Simple fractures may require an open reduction, where an incision is made near the fracture to realign the bones. Complex fractures may require more extensive surgery, potentially involving bone grafts or external fixations. Dr. Errachid will determine the appropriate surgical approach for your specific case.
A: Recovery after fracture surgery varies depending on the severity of the injury, the procedure performed, and individual factors. Light daily activities can usually be resumed within days or weeks following the operation, but full recovery and return to more intense activities can take several months. Physical therapy is generally necessary to regain strength and mobility.
A: The signs of complete healing include the absence of pain, the ability to move the joint without restriction, and the confirmation of bone healing through medical imaging. Your traumatologist will assess your healing and will guide you towards the gradual resumption of your usual activities.
FAQs
Contact
Quick Menu
Opening Hours
Monday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday : 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.