Moving Forward with a Fracture
Uh oh! You have a broken bone, which is also known as a fracture. Do you know what to do? Thankfully, you don’t have to know all the answers. We’re here to help you walk through the next steps after experiencing an injury like this one.
The doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center want to use this blog to share more about this injury, treatment options, and the several types. Did you know there are many types of fractures? There are quite a few, and it takes a medical professional to make the correct diagnosis.
Open or closed? That is the question.
A fracture is considered open (compound) if you can see the bone piercing through the skin. It is described as closed (simple) when the bone is broken, but it hasn’t poked through the skin. Both require prompt attention from the doctor. If the bone has broken the skin, there is a risk of infection.
Straight, spiral, or diagonal break?
Did you know bones can break in different ways? There is a spiral fracture, which has a spiral break. The break is considered oblique if it is diagonal. When the break is straight across, the type is transverse. The list goes on.
Pay attention to pressure
Our bones fracture when we put too much pressure on them. This can happen while playing a sport that requires repetition. A fall or a direct hit can also cause this injury. An additional cause is already having weakened bones from a condition like osteoporosis.
Know your options
What happens if you have a diagnosed fracture? Well, you have a few options. Treatment choices depend on the type and severity of your injury. You may need surgery. Pain medication may help provide relief. A cast can help to keep your broken bone in place while it heals. We’re here to help you understand the next steps.
If you experience an injury like this one over the summer, contact us for help. We’re here to guide you. What is most important is getting a proper diagnosis, which can start with an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Don’t push through the pain or dismiss your injury.
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.