Although in Indonesia there are many alternative treatments that claim to be able to overcome fractures, you need to be careful. If the wrong treatment, fractured bone healing can not be perfect. That's why you need to see an orthopedic doctor.
Mishandling of fractures can cause various complications, ranging from bones that do not connect properly, blood vessel damage, nerve damage, to bone infections. This is the reason how important it is to go to an orthopedic doctor when you have a broken bone.
Reasons for Fractures Need to be Treated by an Orthopedic Doctor
A fracture occurs when a bone is subjected to a blow or impact that exceeds the strength of the bone. Examples are when you fall from a certain height, have an accident while driving, or hit a hard object while exercising. In addition, fractures can also be caused by osteoporosis.
The severity of a fracture depends on which part of the bone was broken, how the bone was damaged, and the involvement of the tissue around the fracture.
If broken bones do not get proper treatment, it can cause complications. Some of the complications are:
- Not connecting the bones or improperly connecting the bones so that the bones look deformed.
- Damage to blood vessels and nerves.
- Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or surrounding tissue.
Types of Fractures that an Orthopedic Doctor Needs to Treat
As has been said before, fractures should be treated by an orthopedic doctor, so that the healing is complete and there are no complications. The following are the types of fractures that are generally treated by orthopedic doctors:
- Simple fracture (broken bone into two pieces).
- Open fracture (the bone is seen protruding through the skin).
- Closed fracture (the skin looks unbroken and there is no protrusion, but the bone inside is broken).
- Comminuted fracture (broken bone into three or more parts).
- Fracture green stick (one side of the bone is broken and the other side is bent). This condition often occurs in children.
- Oblique fracture (a fracture that bends or bends).
- Stress fractures (small cracks caused by overworking the bone or doing the same movement over and over). This condition is usually experienced by athletes.
- Pathological fracture (bone has been damaged by disease).
Treatment of Fractures by Orthopedic Doctors
Orthopedic doctors have a role in helping to restore broken bones to their original position and prevent bones from shifting before they are healed.
In dealing with fractures, the orthopedic doctor will ask for complaints, chronology of events, and medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the area of the injury or fracture. This examination is followed by a supporting examination using X-rays, to see the condition of the bone and the type of fracture.
Based on the results of this examination, the orthopedic doctor will determine the actions that need to be taken to treat the fracture. The choices of treatment methods commonly given by orthopedic doctors are:
Plaster installation
This is the most common treatment for fractures. Before placing the cast, the orthopedic doctor will make sure the bones are in the correct position and aligned. This will help the bone healing process so that it can return to its original shape.
Use of a special sling or bandage
Orthopedic surgeons recommend using special slings and bandages to treat fractures if the fracture occurs in an area that is difficult to reach by a cast, such as the collarbone. This special sling or bandage will limit movement in the area of the broken bone, so that the bone connection process is not disturbed.
Operation
If the condition of the fracture is severe enough, such as shattering or breaking into several pieces, or if the fracture has penetrated the skin (open fracture), the orthopedic doctor will recommend surgery. In this procedure, broken bones are joined together using special pens or plates.
The process of connecting broken bones can take weeks or even months. This depends on the type of fracture, the severity, and the patient's compliance with the orthopedic doctor's recommendations.
In order for the fracture recovery process to be optimal, the orthopedic doctor may refer the patient to a medical rehabilitation doctor or physiotherapist. The goal is that body functions that have been disrupted due to injuries and fractures can return to normal.