Skeletal Fractures

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Skeletal Fractures
Bones make up the skeletal system of our body. They allow us the ability to interact with the surroundings and help us move our body and keep the other organs in place within the skin. Bones are attachment points for muscles which allow us to run, sit, stand, and do other physical activities that we do every day. Bones protect the other organs from potential damage. Bones also is responsible for blood cell reproduction. A bone fracture is a medical condition where there is a “break” (although broken bone is a common term for bone fracture. Break and broken are not formal orthopedic term) in the continuity of the bone. Bone fracture is a result of a heavy or high force impact, or stress and heavy pressure, or a trauma injury
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Closed fractures are more common that open ones, where open ones are the ones where you can see the bone out of the skin. Broken hands or fingers are also common because they are exposed in
P a g e | 5 everyday activities such as work or play. The anatomy of the hands and fingers are so complex that health care professionals have to make sure that there are no other injuries inflicted on the nerves or tendons. Such injuries are referred to an orthopedic hand specialist, where a surgery might be necessary more than splinting or casting.
Wrist fractures are also common and usually involve more than one bone. The distal radius usually gets broken but the carpus (carpal wrist bones) and the metacarpals (long bones of the hand) can also be damaged. Doctors have to be very careful in the diagnosis because the x-rays may not show potential occult or small hidden
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Reactive Stage – This is when the blood clot will start to form and organize at the fractured site, and the initial stage where the two ends of the broken bone will bridge the gap in between.
2. Repair Stage – Specialized cells for healing located at the periosteum, or the outer lining of the bone, will begin to form a callus, which are the grids of cartilage and bones spanning the fracture. More bone is laid down to provide strength to the area.
3. Remodeling Phase – This phase can take years of healing. The body will attempt to resculpt or reshape the bone mass into its original shape and size.
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Terminology
Arthritis – Inflammation on the joints.
Carpals – Wrist bone.
Comminution – The action of reducing a material; pieces or fragments
CT – Computed Tomography, CT Scan or CAT Scan. A painless test that is computer generated cross section of the body.
Laceration – A deep cut on the skin or flesh.
Lumbosacral – Region in the spine.
Metacarpals – Bones in the hand.
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A technique that uses a magnetic wave or radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body.
Occult – Hidden.Not seen by the naked eye. Can be detected by chemical