Fracture
Definition :[edit | edit source]
A fracture is an interruption in the continuity of bone.
Causes of fracture :[edit | edit source]
Most fractures are a result of some form of injury. This might be a direct blow, a fall from a height or a weight falling onto a part of the body.
Other fractures may be caused by indirect trauma, such as falling on an outstretched hand leading to the transmission of force up the arm causing a fracture of the clavicle.
Twisting forces may result in fractures of the tibia and fibula, for example during soccer or skiing when the weight of the body rotates on a fixed foot.
Stress or fatigue fractures are caused by repeated minor trauma, which can occur after walking or running long distances, and often affect the foot metatarsals.
Pathological fractures :
These occur as the result of a disease that weakens the composition of the bone itself such as diseases osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, carcinoma, osteomyelitis .
Clinical Features Of Fracture :[edit | edit source]
Clinical features vary depending on the cause and nature of the injury, and range from unconsciousness to the patient being able to use the limb, although complaining of pain .
And these features are :
• Pain
• Deformity
• Edema
• Loss of function
• Muscle spasm
• Muscle atrophy
• Abnormal movement
• limitation of joint motion
• shock