A significant percentage of bone fractures occur because of high force impact or stress.
However, a fracture may also be the result of some medical conditions which weaken the bones, for example osteoporosis, some cancers, or osteogenesis imperfecta (also known as brittle bone diseases).
A fracture caused by a medical condition is known as a pathological fracture.
What is a bone fracture?
The word "break" is commonly used by lay (non-professional) people.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:
A crack (not only a break) in the bone is also known as a fracture. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body.
There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture; for example, a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin is known as a closed fracture. Most human bones are surprisingly strong and can generally stand up to fairly strong impacts or forces. However, if that force is too powerful, or there is something wrong with the bone, it can fracture.
The older we get, the less force our bones can withstand. Because children's bones are more elastic, when they do have fractures they tend to be different. Children also have growth plates at the end of their bones - areas of growing bone - which may sometimes be damaged.
Types
Avulsion fracture -
When to see a doctor a muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it.
Comminuted fracture - the bone is shattered into many pieces.
Compression (crush) fracture - generally occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the spine may collapse due to osteoporosis.
Fracture dislocation - a joint becomes dislocated, and one of the bones of the joint has a fracture.
Hairline fracture - a partial fracture of the bone. Sometimes this type of fracture is harder to detect with routine xrays.
Intraarticular fracture - where the break extends into the surface of a joint
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a fracture vary according to which bone is affected, the patient's age and general health, as well as the severity of the injury. However, they often include some of the following:
- pain
- swelling
- bruising
- discolored skin around the affected area
- angulation - the affected area may be bent at an unusual angle
- the patient cannot move the affected area
- if it is an open fracture, there may be bleeding
- there may be dizziness (feeling faint)
- the sufferer may look pale and clammy
- feelings of sickness and nausea.