Fracture Care

There are 206 bones that make up the human skeleton. Our bones provide the rigid structure our body needs to allow us to do the activities we love to do. Given such a large number of bones, it should not be a surprise that most people will sustain a broken bone, also called a fracture, at some point in their life. Signs and symptoms of fractures include pain, swelling, bruising, or change in alignment. There are many reasons fractures can happen. From high energy trauma such as car accidents and sports injuries to simple trips and falls, broken bones occur commonly and often unexpectedly. It’s important to have someone you can call in case of emergency to help you navigate a significant disruption in your life.

No two fractures are exactly alike, and their treatment should be tailored to each individual break. At Mid-America Orthopedics we strive to deliver patient specific care that reflects not only the uniqueness of your fracture, but also the goals and aspirations each person strives to obtain. Fortunately, many fractures can be treated without surgery. In order to encourage bone healing, casts or splints are used to hold fractures in place.  This gives the bone time to grow back together. As typical bone healing time may take up to six to eight weeks, a period of limiting lifting or walking may be necessary to ensure the bones heal in the correct alignment.  Some fractures do require surgery. If the alignment is poor or the fracture enters a joint surface, surgery can restore the normal orientation of the bone or joint and offer the best chance of appropriate healing.

While holding the bone in a cast or splint encourages healing, it also leads to atrophy of the muscles and stiffness in the joints. Once the fracture has healed, physical therapy may be recommended to regain mobility and strength lost during the healing process. Working with expert physical therapists who work one-on-one with you during this critical stage in your recovery is a vital part of getting you back to the activities you enjoyed prior to your injury.