Offering Healing & Repair When Bones Break
Bone Fracture Treatment in Rochester, NY
Bone fractures, encompassing both partial and complete breaks, signify a significant and painful disruption in one’s bone structure. When confronted with the challenge of a fracture, seeking professional medical assistance promptly can mitigate long-term consequences and expedite recovery. Recognized for our excellence in orthopaedic care, Greater Rochester Orthopaedics provides fracture treatment solutions in Rochester, NY. Our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons utilize advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques to ensure each patient’s journey from diagnosis through recovery is as smooth and efficient as possible.
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Diagnosing Fractures
The symptoms of a fracture can often be immediately noticeable, including intense pain, swelling, or even visible deformity where the bone has broken. Doctors typically confirm a fracture through X-rays, although some fractures, like stress fractures, might not be immediately apparent and require further imaging.
How Do Fractures Happen?
Fractures can arise from various situations:
- Trauma: The most common cause, where a forceful impact or injury leads to a break.
- Osteoporosis: This condition weakens bones, making them more susceptible to breaks.
- Overuse: Repeated stress on a bone can result in stress fractures.
Types of Fractures
- Closed or simple fracture: The skin remains intact over the fracture site.
- Open or compound fracture: The injury breaks the skin, possibly exposing the bone.
- Transverse fracture: A fracture that is perpendicular to the bone’s long axis.
- Greenstick fracture: More common in children, this type involves the bone bending and cracking instead of breaking completely.
- Comminuted fracture: A complex fracture resulting in the bone breaking into several pieces.
The Healing Process
The body initiates a natural healing process immediately following a fracture, forming a protective blood clot and callus around the injury. New bone cells begin to grow on both sides of the fracture line, gradually bridging the gap until the bone is solidly fused again.
Treatment for Fractures
Greater Rochester Orthopaedics customizes treatment plans based on the fracture type and location, as well as the patient’s overall health and activity level. Treatment methods may include:
- External fixation: Utilizing casts, splints, or braces to stabilize the broken bone from the outside.
- Internal fixation: Surgical intervention to align and secure fracture fragments using pins, plates, or screws, aiding the natural healing process.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
The duration of fracture healing varies, depending on the injury’s severity and the patient’s adherence to prescribed treatment plans. While the pain may subside before complete healing, the bone may need several weeks to months to regain full strength. Post-treatment rehabilitation is crucial for restoring muscle strength and joint mobility potentially affected by the injury or the immobilization period.
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For inquiries, call 585-295-5476. Ready to schedule an appointment? Schedule at 585-295-5350.