Fracture Care Specialist
-
- Tweet
Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Orthopedic Urgent Care located in Roswell, NM
Fractures come in various forms, from a simple fracture to a compression fracture. Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico offers urgent orthopedic care to immediately diagnose and provide high-quality fracture care in Roswell, New Mexico. Orthopedic surgeons Omar N. Osmani, MD, and David Ball, DPM, ensure your fracture doesn’t lead to lasting health problems. Call the office today to find out about fracture care.
Fracture Care Q & A
What causes a bone fracture?
A fracture is a medical condition in which a bone is broken or cracked. Many fractures result from either high-force impact or stress.
Bone fractures also may develop from medical conditions that weaken bones. These include:
- Osteoporosis
- Certain types of cancer
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (a disease-causing extremely fragile bones)
Accidents and falls also cause fractured bones.
What are the types of fractures?
Fractures come in several forms, such as:
- Closed fracture
- Compound fracture
- Simple fracture
- Multi-fragmentary fracture
- Compression fractures
As the name suggests, a closed fracture is where the bone doesn’t break through the skin. In contrast, a compound, or open fracture, pierces the skin, exposing the bone and wound for potential contamination.
Open fractures carry a higher risk of infection and thus need treatment with antibiotics and possibly surgical procedures to remove dirt and dead tissue.
A simple fracture breaks a bone into two pieces, while a multi-fragmentary fracture splits a bone into multiple parts. Compression fractures appear in your back. These kinds of fractures occur when your spinal vertebra collapses due to osteoporosis.
How is a fracture diagnosed?
Your practitioner at the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico diagnoses your fracture with a physical exam and X-ray, which is conveniently available onsite. They then recommend appropriate fracture care based on your specific condition.
What are the methods of fracture care?
You can expect your practitioner to set your bone into its natural position, confirming the bone is set correctly with an X-ray. They use a plaster or fiberglass cast or splint to hold your fractured limb in place as you heal. Once your initial swelling subsides, they may recommend switching to a removable brace.
If a conservative treatment appears unsuccessful in setting your bone, your practitioner suggests surgical fracture care. They almost always recommend surgery with hip fractures due to osteoporosis. This is because osteoporosis may include serious complications, such as blood clots and blockages in the lungs.
These potential complications make nonsurgical treatments more dangerous than surgery. So in these cases, your practitioner recommends surgical fracture care.
For high-quality fracture care, call Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico today.
