A fracture is a break in a bone. It can be caused by trauma, such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury, or by overuse. Fractures can also be caused by diseases that weaken bones, such as osteoporosis. Severe fractures often need surgery and this may also involve the use of a Locking Plate System or other trauma implants depending on the type and severity of the fracture.
Fracture healing is a complex process that takes several weeks or months to complete. The first step in healing is the formation of a blood clot at the fracture site. This blood clot provides a scaffold for new bone cells to grow on. Over the next few weeks, the blood clot is replaced by a soft callus, which is made up of cartilage and fibrous tissue. The callus holds the fractured bones together and provides a framework for new bones to form. Over the next few months, the callus is hardened by the deposition of calcium and other minerals. This process is called ossification. Once the callus has hardened, it is remodeled to match the shape and strength of the original bone. How long it takes for a fracture to heal depends on a number of factors, including the type of fracture, the location of the fracture, the person's age and overall health, and whether or not there are any complications. How to Identify Fracture Healing? There are a number of ways to identify fracture healing. The most common way is to monitor the person's symptoms. As the fracture heals, the pain and swelling should gradually decrease. The person should also be able to move the injured area more easily. Another way to identify fracture healing is to have X-rays taken of the fracture site. X-rays can show the formation of new bone and the remodeling process. In some cases, the doctor may order other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to get a better look at the fracture site. Signs and Symptoms of Fracture Healing Some of the signs and symptoms of fracture healing include:
Factors that Can Affect Fracture Healing There are a number of factors that can affect fracture healing, including: Type of fracture: Some fractures, such as simple breaks, heal more quickly than others, such as comminuted fractures (fractures that involve multiple breaks in the bone). Location of fracture: Fractures that occur in areas with a good blood supply, such as the long bones of the arms and legs, tend to heal more quickly than fractures that occur in areas with a poor blood supply, such as the hip and pelvis. Person's age and overall health: Younger people and people with good overall health tend to heal from fractures more quickly than older people and people with chronic health conditions. Complications: Complications, such as infection and nonunion (failure of the fracture to heal), can delay fracture healing. What to do to help your fracture heal? There are a number of things you can do to help your fracture heal, including:
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