Fracture FAQs
1. How do fractures or broken bones occur?
2. What are the most common causes of
fractures? 3. What are the types of
fractures? 4. How long does it take for a
fracture to heal? 5. Are fractures in
children of special concern? 1. How
do fractures or broken bones occur?
Normally, when an outside stress is applied to the bone, the
bone gives and then returns to its normal shape when the
stress stops. However, if the stress is too strong for the
bone, the bone will crack or break. Bones that are weakened
by disease are more likely to break.
Back to Top 2. What
are the most common causes of fractures?
The most common causes are:
- Trauma to the bone is the number one cause of fractures,
such as trauma caused by a fall or motor vehicle accident.
- Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bone thinning.
- Overuse or misuse of the bones can also cause fractures.
This normally occurs among athletes.
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3. What are the types of fractures?
The two most common types of fractures are simple and
compound fractures. A simple fracture occurs when the bone
breaks but does not puncture the skin. A compound fracture
can be more serious as the broken bone pierces the skin
increasing the risk of infection.
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4. How long does it take for a
fracture to heal?
Most fractures take at least four, and up to eight
weeks, to heal and often require immobilization of the
affected area. Bones are able to regenerate themselves, and
a doctor will likely realign the bone so that the two broken
segments will grow back as one. A splint or cast around the
affected area may also be used to assist with
immobilization. Some complex fractures may require surgery
to stabilize the bone, often resulting in use of metal rods
and plates.
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5. Are fractures in children of
special concern?
Yes. In children, whose bones are still developing,
there are risks of either a growth plate injury or
greenstick fractures. A greenstick fracture occurs because
the bone is not as brittle as it would be in an adult, and
thus does not completely fracture, but rather exhibits
bowing without complete disruption of the bone's cortex.
Growth plate injuries require careful treatment and accurate
reduction to make sure that the bone continues to grow
normally. Plastic deformation of the bone, in which the bone
permanently bends but does not break, is also possible in
children. These injuries may require an osteotomy (bone cut)
to realign the bone if it is fixed and cannot be realigned
by closed methods.
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For more information, please see our
Fracture
Page.
Contact us online through our
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