Fractures

Also called: Broken bone

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Summary

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are

Intense pain
Deformity - the limb looks out of place
Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
Numbness and tingling
Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.

Diagnosis and Tests

Bone Scan (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Bone X-Ray (Radiography) (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

Bone Mass Measurement: What the Numbers Mean (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Also in Spanish
Comparing Osteoporosis Drugs: The Bisphosphonates (Consumers Union of U.S.) - PDF
Once Is Enough: A Guide to Preventing Future Fractures (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Preventing Falls and Related Fractures (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Treatments and Therapies

Fractures (Broken Bones): First Aid (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Living With

Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus Health Topic - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs Also in Spanish
Recovering from Falls (National Osteoporosis Foundation)

Specifics

Avulsion Fracture: How Is It Treated? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Stress Fractures (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Images

Bone fracture repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Creating a sling - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

Childhood Forearm Breaks Resulting from Mild Trauma May Indicate Bone Deficits (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Fractures, Bone (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Also in Spanish

Children

Broken Bones (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Cast Care: Do's and Don'ts (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Cool Cast Facts (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Facts about Broken Bones (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Greenstick Fractures (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Growth Plate Injuries (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Also in Spanish
When Your Child Needs a Cast (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Seniors

Falls and Fractures (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

Broken bone (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Closed reduction of a fractured bone (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish