Signs You Should Immediately Contact Your Orthopedic Doctor
Bone fractures – also known as breaks – are a common injury, but not all fractures are the same. Although some fractures are simple and can heal with rest and minimal intervention, others are severe and require advanced treatment.
Complex bone fractures, in particular, present significant challenges in healing and rehabilitation due to their intricate nature and the damage they can cause to surrounding tissues. In this blog, we’ll explore what complex bone fractures are, how they’re caused, and the advanced orthopedic treatment options available to you in Wichita.
If you suspect you have a broken bone, contact the orthopedic doctors at Mid-America Orthopedics today for an exam.
What Is a Complex Bone Fracture?
A complex bone fracture refers to a break in the bone that is more severe than a simple fracture. Characteristics of complex bone fractures include:
- Multiple fragments and pieces of bone that make alignment and healing more difficult.
- Displaced or misaligned bones that require advanced orthopedic surgery to reposition them.
- Bones that have broken through skin, increasing the risk of infection.
- Damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments, further complicating the treatment process.
Our Wichita advanced orthopedic doctors are thoroughly trained in diagnosing and treating fractures. Contact us to make an appointment.
Common Causes Of Complex Bone Fractures
Complex fractures typically result from high-impact injuries that place extreme force on the bones. Some of the most common causes of complex fractures are:
- Motor vehicle collisions and crashes.
- Sports injuries from high-contact sports like football or rugby.
- Falling from a height.
- Workplace injuries, especially in industries that involve heavy machinery and dangerous equipment.
How Advanced Orthopedic Doctors In Wichita Treat Complex Fractures
Treating a complex bone fracture is a multi-step process requiring advanced orthopedic treatment. Your physician at Mid-America Orthopedics in Wichita will want to realign the bone to promote proper healing, prevent complications and infections, and restore as much function as possible.
Initial Response Treatment
The first step in managing a complex bone fracture is emergency care, which focuses on stabilizing the patient and managing pain.
- Immobilization: Advanced orthopedic doctors hold the broken bone in place with a splint or brace to prevent further damage and reduce pain.
- Pain management: Pain relievers and, in severe cases, sedatives may be administered to manage acute discomfort.
- Wound care: Complex fractures where bone breaks through the skin require immediate wound care to reduce the risk of infection.
- Imaging and diagnostics: X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs assess the severity and location of the fracture, the condition of surrounding tissues, and inform the best approach to treatment.
Ongoing Treatment and Surgical Intervention
Complex fractures often require advanced orthopedic surgery to realign the bone and promote proper healing. Our orthopedic physicians use specialized techniques and tools to repair the fracture and foster long-term recovery.
- Reduction and realignment: In cases where the bone is out of place, orthopedic surgeons perform a procedure called reduction to realign the bone fragments. A closed reduction means realigning the bone without surgery; an open reduction means surgical intervention.
- Internal fixation: To hold the bone fragments in place while they heal, surgeons may use metal plates, screws, or rods in a process known as internal fixation. This stabilizes the bone and ensures it heals in the correct position.
- External fixation: For some fractures, an external fixator is used, which involves placing pins or screws into the bone on either side of the fracture and connecting them to a metal frame outside the body. This allows the bones to heal properly while reducing the need for invasive surgery.
- Bone grafts: In cases where the bone is severely shattered or missing large sections, your orthopedic doctor may use bone grafts to aid the healing process. This involves transplanting bone tissue from another part of the body or using a synthetic substitute to encourage bone regeneration.
- Soft tissue repair: Damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments surrounding the fracture may require surgical repair, especially if the injury affects movement or stability.
To find out if you need orthopedic surgery to heal your fracture, contact Mid-America Orthopedics to schedule an exam.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
After surgery or initial treatment, physical therapy and rehabilitation restore strength, flexibility, and function to the injured area.
- Mobility exercises: Early rehabilitation focuses on gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain joint mobility.
- Strength training: As healing progresses, physical therapy strengthens the muscles around the fracture site to restore normal function and reduce the risk of future injury.
- Gait training: For fractures involving the legs, feet, or hips, patients may need gait training to relearn how to walk and regain full mobility.
Get Advanced Orthopedic Fracture Care In Wichita
No matter your age, activity level, or lifestyle, the risk of experiencing a complex bone fracture is always present. Having access to a reliable, advanced orthopedic doctor ensures your injury receives prompt medical attention, minimizing your pain and discomfort. Our physical therapists provide long-term support that helps you regain strength and mobility.
If you suspect you have a broken bone, call Mid-America Orthopedics right away at (316) 630-9300. We often can accommodate same- or next-day appointments for urgent fracture care.