If you have a fracture or other traumatic sports injury, seeking treatment right away is crucial to optimize healing. At Urgently Ortho, serving Phoenix and surrounding areas in Arizona, board-certified orthopaedic surgeons treat fractures and other trauma using advanced, innovative methods to restore normal muscle, bone, and joint function. Call to learn more or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
Fractures are cracks or breaks in your bones. Many fractures happen as a result of high-impact force, or because of medical conditions that weaken your bones. You may experience bone fractures from:
Bone fractures may be partial or complete, and mild or severe. Simple fractures are stable and well aligned, while open fractures can cut through the skin. Greenstick fractures may happen in children when bones bend and crack.
If you experience a bone fracture or other type of traumatic injury, you may experience:
It’s important to seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms of a fracture to optimize healing.
Your provider diagnoses fractures and other traumatic injuries after a physical exam and imaging tests, such as:
Once your doctor establishes the type of fracture or other traumatic injury you have, he or she lets you know what your treatment options are.
The most appropriate treatment depends on the type of fracture you have and how severe your injury is. Your doctor might suggest:
Medical therapy involves early fracture management to prevent further injury and bone death, control bleeding, and remove sources of infection — such as dead tissue and foreign bodies. Your provider immobilizes the injured area using non-operative methods or surgery.
Your doctor uses casting or skin traction, which are non-operative treatments, for certain fractures. Splints, traction tape, boots, and casts immobilize your limb while your fracture heals.
Your orthopaedic surgeon uses skeletal traction for fractures or dislocations that can’t be treated with casts. He or she inserts pins into the bone to hold it in place.
Your surgeon performs ORIF using devices like wires, plates, screws, and nails to surgically repair a fracture at its site.
Your surgeon performs external fixation to stabilize a fracture from a distal site. You might require external fixation if you have open fractures with soft tissue damage, burns, pelvic fractures, fractures with an infection, or unstable fractures.
After orthopaedic surgery, it may take several weeks or months to completely heal from your injury. Your doctor gives you post-surgery instructions to enhance healing and avoid re-injury. You’ll stabilize the injured area after surgery, and complete physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility.
If you experience symptoms of a bone fracture or other traumatic injury, call Urgently Ortho right away to seek immediate medical attention.
