Fracture

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone. Fractures can affect any bone in your body and may range from a tiny, hairline crack to a severe break. If you think you or your loved one may have fractured a bone, seek emergency medical care.

Causes of fractures

Fractures often happen as a result of accidents and injuries, such as:

• Car accidents
• Falls
• Overuse or repetitive, strenuous movements
• Sports injuries
• Violence or abuse

Fracture symptoms

Some broken bones are obvious, while others are harder to detect. Symptoms of a possible fracture include:

• Broken skin with a bone protruding from it
• Inability to put weight on an injured area
• Intense pain that gets worse with movement or pressure
• Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
• Numbness and tingling
• Swelling or bruising
• Visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint

Fracture types

There are many different types of fractures, depending on which bone is affected and the pattern of the break. For example, a humerus fracture is a broken upper arm bone. A clavicle fracture is a broken collarbone.

Fractures may also be grouped into categories depending on how the bones are affected:

• Open fracture, which means the bone is sticking out of the skin
• Closed fracture, when your skin remains intact (you can’t see the bone itself)
• Displaced fracture, which means the pieces of bone were moved out of their usual place
• Non-displaced fracture, which means the bone pieces are still in their usual alignment
• Stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bone from overuse injuries

Fracture diagnosis

Diagnosing a fracture typically requires imaging tests. These tests provide doctors with a clear view of where and how the bone is broken. Depending on the location of the break and how it happened, you may need:

• CT scan
• MRI
• X-rays

Fracture risk factors

Fractures can happen to anyone. But they may be more likely to happen if you:

• Are female
• Are over age 50
• Have osteoporosis or low bone density
• Perform repetitive movements during work
• Play sports
• Smoke

Fracture prevention

You cannot always prevent fractures. But you can reduce your risk by adopting certain lifestyle habits, such as:

• Avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use, which can weaken bones over time
• Eating a balanced diet that includes calcium and vitamin D to boost bone health
• Exercising regularly, including weight-bearing activities like walking and strength training
• Practicing balance-improving activities, such as tai chi or yoga, to prevent falls
• Wearing protective gear when biking or playing sports to help prevent injuries

Bone fractures can be painful and stressful. At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat all types of fractures, from common injuries to complex issues.