Fractures and Dislocations Treatment

Fractures and dislocations are two of the most frequent injuries related to joints or bones. When unnecessary force is applied to bones that they can't stand, a crack or breakdown can take place. Such sorts of cracks or splitting of a bone are called 'Fractures.' In most cases, motor vehicle accidents and sports incidents are held responsible for such fractures. 

Moving further with dislocations, when two bones get displaced due to excess trauma faced by the joint, resulting in unbearable pain, is known as 'Dislocation.' In general, dislocations occur due to sudden impacts of falls or trauma to the joints. 

What are Fractures and Dislocations?

Fractures and dislocations are two bone-related injuries that take place due to immediate and excessive force put on bones/joints. These mishappenings take place when one does not pay enough attention while performing routine activities such as driving a vehicle or playing sports. 

These routine activities can turn into dangerous accidents if one does not concentrate adequately while performing these activities. Occurrence of fracture is possible in each existing bone, and you can dislocate nearly all joints of your body. Elbows, Shoulders, Knees, Ankles, and jaw are some kinds of joints that can be displaced due to any mishappening. 

All fractures and dislocations are extremely painful and demand immediate professional attention. Although, most fractures require surgery in order to recover the cracked or broken bone. On the contrary, surgery is not essential in most dislocation cases.

Difference between Fractures and Dislocations:

Fractures and Dislocations are entirely different things, except that the pain caused by both injuries is unbearable. 

Meaning:

• Fracture: The crack or split taking place in the bone due to excess force put on the bones is called a 'Fracture.'
• Dislocation: When two bones that meet up at a joint split up or get displaced due to unwanted trauma faced by the joint, the occurrence is called 'Dislocation.'

Area of Damage:

• Fracture: A crack or a split can occur in any of the bones in the human body. Although, in most cases, people get fractures in their arms, fingers, and legs.
• Dislocations: Unlike a fracture, dislocation of a bone can only take place where two bones meet, i.e., a joint. It means any of your joints, such as elbows, shoulders, etc., can be affected.

Treatment: 

• Fracture: It is not possible to recover broken bones by medication or without surgery. Most of the time, the patient has to undergo some or other sort of surgery that supports a bone to heal correctly.
• Dislocation: Contrary to a fracture, most dislocations are treated with medication and restricting physical moments of the dislocated joint. 

Recovery Period:

• Fracture: Recovery time varies as per the size of the crack. Minor fractures usually take a month or two to heal fully, whereas major ones require 4-6 months to recover. In some worst scenarios, these fractures might even leave behind some permanent damage to the bone.

• Dislocation: Displacement of the bones is usually fixed within a few hours of seeing a specialist. But it might take a few weeks, based on the severity. To cure, go for some antibiotics and painkillers to eliminate the muscle pain caused by the injury. 

Types of Fractures and Dislocations: 

1. Dislocation: Dislocations occur when a joint is no longer in its original form because of the unwanted force applied. 
2. Compound fracture: An injury wherein a broken bone penetrates the skin is known as a compound fracture
3. Simple fracture: a common crack or split in the bone that does not penetrates or harms the skin is called a simple fracture. 
4. Transverse fracture: A condition wherein the fracture is a straight line going in the opposite direction of your bone is referred to as a transverse fracture.
5. Nonunion fracture: A kind of fracture where the recovery of the damage is not possible is called a nonunion fracture.
6. Oblique fracture: An oblique fracture is a medical condition where a fracture takes place at an oblique to the bone's long axis.
7. Segmental fracture: when two or more cracks occur in a single bone, the fracture is known as a segmental fracture.
8. Stable fracture: A sort of split in the bone wherein the ends do not get displaced.

Symptoms

Symptoms of fractures and dislocations can be identical in most cases. Given below is a list of possible symptoms that one can have before being diagnosed with a fracture or a dislocation:

• Severe pain
• Inflammation
• The irregular shape of a limb
• Difficulty in performing tasks
• Disability of movement of the aching part
• Skin bruising
• Bleeding (during a compound fracture)

Causes 

Enrolling yourself in sports or physical activities such as volleyball, football, cricket, etc., might make you more vulnerable to fractures and dislocations. In addition, if your daily routine includes tasks such as lifting heavy weights or excessive physical workouts, those activities can also have dire consequences, such as dislocations. 

Though, there are other elements too that can be held responsible for dislocations and fractures enlisted below:

1. Existing low-impact fractures
2. Chronic disorders
3. Consumption of alcohol
4. Smoking
5. Steroids
6. Heavy reliance on drugs
7. Diabetes
8. Rheumatoid arthritis

Even though some of these risk factors might seem to be harmless at the present time, they cause tremendous damage to internal body organs and weaken your bones. Once they become an addiction, it becomes difficult to get rid of them, which results in the deteriorated quality of overall health. 

Treatment

Getting professional help as soon as you get caught up with either of these injuries is advisable because fractures and dislocations cannot be treated without professional help and sufficient care. 

One thing to keep in mind as soon as you hurt yourself is to avoid using the damaged limb or organ to prevent the situation from worsening.

Dislocation: Treatment of dislocation depends on the dislocated joint's inclusion to the injury's seriousness. In general, medication, immobilization, splints, sling, physical exercise, and rehabilitation is used to cure this situation. 

In addition to that, the healing process might also include manipulation of the bones that results in their repositioning. After the joint and the bones are back at their original places, it'd take only a few weeks for the joint to start functioning correctly. Treatment may also include antibiotics to ease the pain. 

Fracture: Unlike dislocation, those who suffer from fractures have to undergo some or other surgery that will aid the bone in getting back to its standard form. During surgical procedures, screws and rods are inserted into the damaged area providing support to the broken bone.

Special kind of care has to be taken for the area that consists of iron rods or screws, or else it may become the reason for a fatal infection. Plasters are also used to restrict the movement of the damaged area and provide support for a speedy recovery. 

Why Cutis Hospital for Fractures and Dislocations?

Cutis is a well-known hospital when it comes to healing fractures and curing dislocations. Cutis has orthopedic specialists with years of experience in caring for dislocations and all sorts of fractures. 

When it comes to fractures and discolorations, it is necessary to have the ability to figure out the type of injury for proper treatment. Health professionals at Cutis properly analyze the condition and severity of the injury to offer customized care to the patients. 

In addition to that, it is necessary to take care of each and every step during the process. Also, it is essential to use proper equipment so that it does not end up making the patient's condition worse. We have access to the best-in-class infrastructure, followed by the top-notch cleanliness and hygiene used in the process, so the patient does not have to suffer any infection.