What if you break a bone? (Bone Fracture) - Let's find out what to do!

At some point in our lives, we ourselves or someone close to us may have a minor accident. Maybe while playing sports, going down a flight of stairs, or just slipping and falling... At times like these, we get scared, thinking, "I don't know if my arm is broken," or "I don't know if my leg is broken." A broken bone is a really painful and scary experience. But if you are properly informed about it, you can do exactly what you need to do without panicking and recover quickly. That's why, today we will talk about this.

How do you know for sure if a bone is broken?

Most of the time, a doctor can tell if a bone is broken by examining your injury and taking an X-ray .

However, not all fractures are immediately visible on an X-ray. Imagine you fall and hurt your wrist badly. Even if you take an X-ray, sometimes you won't see anything. This is because some fractures are so subtle that they don't show up on an X-ray in the early days. This is especially true for stress fractures of the wrist , hip (especially in the elderly), and sports injuries.

At times like this, your doctor may ask you to have other tests, such as a CT scan , MRI scan , or bone scan .

In some cases, even after confirming that the bone is broken, tests such as a CT scan, MRI scan, or angiogram (a special X-ray of the blood vessels ) may be needed to see if there is any damage to the surrounding blood vessels or other tissues.

If there is an accident to the skull and a bone fracture is suspected, doctors will refer you directly to a CT scan rather than an X-ray because it can accurately determine not only the fracture, but also whether there is bleeding around the brain, which can be even more dangerous.

What is the treatment for a broken bone?

A broken bone is often a medical emergency, so the injured person should be taken to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.

In fact, a minor fracture, like a toe, may not require a trip to the emergency room. But if in doubt, it's best to see a doctor.

In other cases, it is important to protect the injured area from further damage before taking it to the hospital.

Treatment given in the hospital

When you go to the hospital, the first thing the doctors do is set the broken bone pieces back in place. We call this 'fixing the bone'. In medical terms, it's called reduction .

• Closed Reduction: In many cases, especially in children, a bone can be repaired without surgery.
• Open Reduction: If the fracture is severe, surgery may be needed to set the broken bone in place. In this type of surgery, pins, plates, screws, or rods are used to keep the bone from moving.
• Open Fractures: If the bone is protruding through the skin, the wound should be cleaned thoroughly. Otherwise, there is a high chance of germs entering and causing infection.

After the bone is set, a cast or splint is applied to immobilize it, reduce pain, and help it heal properly. Painkillers are given for pain, and antibiotics are given to prevent infection in open fractures.

Rehabilitation treatment starts as soon as possible. Even while the cast is on, there are exercises you can do. This will improve blood circulation, help the bone heal faster, and reduce muscle weakness.

What happens after the plaster is removed?

For the first few weeks after removing the cast, the area will feel a little stiff. It may be slightly swollen and lumpy. If it's a leg, you may limp for a few days. These are normal, don't worry. These symptoms will go away in a few weeks.

How can we prevent bone fractures?

Preventing fractures is always better than treating them. If you think about these simple things, you can avoid many accidents.

• Wear a seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle.
• If you ride a bicycle or play sports like cricket, wear appropriate protective helmets and pads.
• Remove and tidy items that could trip you up and fall from doorways and stairs.
• If you have osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, engage in exercises that increase strength and balance. This can help reduce falls. Talk to your doctor about starting medications or supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D, that strengthen bones.
• If you are climbing a ladder, don't use the top rung. If possible, have someone else hold the ladder. Small things like these can prevent big accidents.

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