

If the surgery involves reinforcement, it is called open reduction with internal fixation surgery. If necessary, the bone is then reinforced using pins, screws, or rods to ensure the bone stays aligned while healing. They will then examine the entire area, looking for stray pieces of bone, broken blood vessels, and tissue damage before realigning or reducing the broken parts of the bone.
#Bone fracture meaning skin#
If the two ends of the bone are separated then an open reduction surgery will be necessary.įor this procedure, surgeons will usually cut the skin to expose the fracture. Less severe cases, where the bone is not fully separated, may be operated on using local anesthesia. Most spiral fractures require surgery and general anesthesia. Calling 911 or an emergency hotline to request an ambulance may be the best way to get to a hospital without further injury. Anti-inflammatory medications weaken the blood’s ability to clot and may make internal bleeding worse.Ī person should not eat or drink anything immediately after the fracture, as surgery may be required.Īll fractures require immediate medical care. Ice should be applied for no longer than 10 minutes at a time.Īcetaminophen is the only over-the-counter medication recommended during initial treatment for a fracture. The affected limb should be elevated to heart level and iced to reduce blood flow and limit inflammation. If possible, it should be splinted to prevent further damage. Immediately after the injury takes place, it is important to make sure no weight is put on the fracture. Treatment for a spiral fracture depends on the severity of the breakage and damage to the surrounding tissues and blood vessels. Machinery injuries that involve someone’s limbs.Physical violence, when a person’s arm or leg has been twisted forcibly.Falling down the stairs or a slope with fixed obstacles, such as rocks or trees that can twist an arm or leg away from the rest of the body.Child abuse, if a child’s arm or leg has been jerked aggressively.Falling after trying to compensate for a loss in balance by putting out an arm or quickly repositioning the leg.Bicycle accidents, typically those involving a motor vehicle as well.Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents.Wrestling injuries to the legs or arms caused by twists.American football injuries, especially when one player runs into another, one player is held or restrained by another, or a player twists to get free.Soccer injuries, especially when two players run into one another and become entangled or twisted.Skiing or snowboarding injuries, when the leg is twisted by being stuck in a ski or snowboarding boot while the rest of the leg continues to move.

But a few specific motions, activities, and circumstances tend to be associated with the injury.

Anything that puts a lot of twisting stress or force on a long bone can cause a spiral fracture.
