Broken Bones Treatment Specialist in Houston, TX

A fracture, simply put, is a break in a bone. It can range from a thin crack to a complete break and can occur in any bone of the body due to stress or impact. Fractures can be categorized by their complexity, location, and nature of the break. For example, they may be transverse, compound, or spiral. When a fracture occurs, it is usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and a limited range of motion.

To determine whether you have sustained a fracture, healthcare providers use physical exams and imaging technology, such as X-rays. Depending on the nature and severity of your fracture, treatment options can include splints, casts, slings, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.

Sports injuries, car accidents, falls and other types of trauma can result in a fracture. If you suspect you may have fractured a bone, you should seek a medical evaluation to determine the type of injury you’ve sustained and the best treatment approach.

The seriousness of your fractured bone depends on the type of fracture you’ve sustained, where in the body it occurred, and how promptly the injury is treated. While some fractures can be easy to treat, in certain circumstances, broken bones can be quite serious and require complex medical intervention, such as surgery.

Fractures are not all alike. For instance, a simple fracture where the bone remains aligned and the skin is intact can often be treated with a cast and require minimally invasive procedures. On the other hand, compound fractures, where the bone pierces the skin, or comminuted fractures, where the bone shatters into several pieces, are more complex and carry a higher risk of infection and prolonged healing.

Furthermore, fractures of weight-bearing bones, such as the femur or tibia, can significantly limit mobility and require a lengthy recovery. In addition, fractures of the spine or skull are considered especially severe.

In addition to these factors, the patient’s overall health and age influence how serious a fracture is. Younger individuals typically heal faster and more completely than older adults, who may have complicating factors such as osteoporosis or other chronic conditions that slow the healing process.

Generally speaking, most simple fractures take between 6 and 8 weeks to heal; however, this range can vary significantly depending on which bone was broken and the type of fracture sustained. For example, a compound or comminuted fracture of a weight-bearing bone, such as the tibia, can take 20 or more weeks to heal.

To expedite your recovery from a fracture, it’s essential to see a medical professional promptly for treatment and follow their recommendations carefully. This may include resting as much as possible, limiting certain movements or activities, or taking prescribed medications.

If surgical intervention is required, the healing process after a fracture will take longer than usual. The bottom line is that the timeline for bone healing varies greatly from person to person and bone to bone.

As your fracture heals, you will transition through five phases of healing:

• Hematoma formation – Shortly after a fracture, blood vessels in and around the bone are disrupted, leading to bleeding. This forms a clot or hematoma at the site of the fracture within a few hours.

• Inflammatory phase – Swelling, warmth, and redness are common during this phase as the body increases blood flow to the injured area.

• Soft callus formation – As the inflammation subsides, the body begins constructing a soft callus around the fracture site. This callus is made of collagen and fibrocartilage, which form a bridge connecting the broken bone pieces.

• Hard callus formation – Over several weeks, the soft callus gradually transforms into a hard callus. This transformation occurs as calcium and other minerals are deposited in the newly formed tissue, hardening it into bone.

• Bone remodeling – The final stage of fracture healing can last several months to years. During remodeling, the newly formed bone is reshaped and strengthened to more closely resemble the bone’s original structure and function.

For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1200 Binz St #100, Houston, TX 77004. We serve patients from Houston TX, Midtown TX, Montrose TX, MacGregor TX, South Central Houston TX, Old Braeswood TX, and surrounding areas.