Guide to Jones Fracture

"What is a Jones fracture?” This is question from anyone who is suffering from this problem. Today, I am going tell you how we can relax from this type of fractured bone. It is a break in the fifth metatarsal that occurs in between the mid shaft portion of the bone and the posterior or base of the metatarsal. This type of injury happens only because of inversion or rolling in of the ankle. In this injury, a small piece of the bone breaks off due to the pull of a ligament or tendon.

The Torg classification system is commonly used by physicians in this type of problem to determine proper treatment based on radiographic findings. Due to the high rate of nonunion in this type of fracture caused by the disruption of the blood supply to the metatarsal fracture site, this classification system allows proper treatment based on the severity of the fractured bone. But the patient has to take a proper rest in third type of treatment.

In the Torg system, there are three types of fractured bones. Type I and II fracture usually are treated conservatively with a non-weight bearing cam walker or cast for 6-8 weeks. This is followed up by gradual weight bearing walking boot, which can be tall or short. Some Type II fractures may require surgery depending on the patient and activity level. Type III fractures usually are displaced fractured bones and should be treated surgically with fixation devices to hold the two bones together. Patient has to try movement in this fractured area slowly. This is followed up with a non-weight bearing cast or cam walker.

Possible Complications While Treating Fractures

Fractures are very common. They heal in most of the people naturally, but in some cases it may lead to more problems. Whenever you break a bone, it could be a result of severe injury. You can notice severe pain and swelling in the injured area. The severe swelling can put a lot of pressure on the blood vessels. These blood vessels stop the blood circulation at the fractured body part. The decreased blood supply can damage the muscles that they can even die. If the muscles will die, it results in long term disability. This syndrome is called as compatible syndrome. When the arteries or nerves near the fracture get damaged due to severe injury, it is called as neurovascular injury.

Infection is another problem one can face when you have an open fracture. The bones are exposed to air, dirt and bacteria. There lead to increased risk of infection in the open wound. If the fractured part extends into the joints, it can cause a lot of problems. The fractured joints sometimes do not meet at a proper angle.

Some grown abnormalities can also create problems in fractures. If the injury persists in a growth plate of a child, the bone could grow in an abnormal manner. This could result to a difference in the length of mature, hard bones.

If the fractured bones take long time in healing, it will become a matter of worry. It is likely due to a delayed union of fractured bones. Sometimes it could happen that the bone does not heal in a short time. This is called as non union of the broken bones.

Normally these problems do not occur. All fractured cases usually heal up in short time without much problem but if any of the complications mentioned above, they will not be cured quickly. So you must consult with an expert.

What is a Compression Fracture?

Have you heard about compression fracture? Do you know when it usually happens and why, and what the reasons for it to happen in your body? I am going to tell you about this type of fracture-related injury.  This will really help you understand about what a compression fracture is and how you can prevent yourself from becoming the victim of this type of injury.

Compression fracture is one the kind of condition we have today which is very common among people at an older age. It is associated with the fractured spinal cord. Do you know the importance of spinal cord in your body? With the help of spinal cord, we are able to sit and stand straight on our feet. It gives support to your body. So, what would happen if you have a compression type of injury in the vertebral column? We will be unable to walk or sit properly.

A fractured spinal cord is due to some trauma or due to the weakened bones or vertebral column. The bones become weak due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the condition that involves thinning of the bones due to lack of calcium in body. A person suffering from Osteoporosis is prone to have a fractured spinal cord. It is not only osteoporosis that is responsible for compression injury because an accident or ejection seats are also responsible for this injury.

An x-ray is suggested to assess the extent of the injury. Sometime an X-ray is not sufficient though. MRI or CT scan is also done to diagnose the compression fracture. MRI and CT scan prevents the spinal cord from the side effects of the harmful x-rays.

Special Type Of Fracture: Stress Fracture

                        

There are many types of fracture and one of them is the incomplete type. Stress fracture is a result of overuse of bones or stressing the bones. The repeated stress on the bones may lead to cracks on it, which eventually causes it to get fractured. It takes place near the ankle, legs or wrist.  It occurs commonly in the weight bearing bones. Bones of lower leg and bones of the foot are the major victims of the stress fracture.

This special type of fracture may happen to any part of the body though. The duration of the healing process for fractured bones depends upon the location of the fractured bone. It also depends on the body’s healing power and the severity of the injury. The process of fracture healing can depend upon the dietary intake of the individual.

Sometimes, it can be very easy to find this where the affected area is It can be determined by pain and tenderness near the injury site. It may cause a little pain initially but in the long run results may be dangerous. Therefore, necessary steps should be taken to prevent stress injury.

Stress fracture can be detected easily but it cannot be determined well in an X-ray. So a MRI or CT scan is used to detect it. A three-phase bone scan is another option to find the evidences of the fractured area. The scanning result may show a small crack in the bone. It is also called as the hairline type of fractured injury.

Some Facts Regarding Fracture

The duration of fracture healing is based on the type of injury suffered by the bones. It can be easily diagnosed in an X-ray.

There are many types of treatments for broken bones but one of the most advanced treatments is the use of EXOGEN ultrasound machine. The machine stimulates the cells of the bone to grow fast, so that they can form granulation tissues to form soft callus. This soft callus forms hard callus.

Several other factors also affect the treatment of fractures are nutrition, physical health level of the person.

I will definitely say that EXOGEN is a magic machine for those who are suffering from severe problems of fractured bones.

Stress fracture is a type of injury which cannot be referred as a complete type so it is classified under the incomplete category. It is a result of overuse of bones. The repeated stress on the bones may cause it to get cracked or fractured. It takes place near the ankle, legs or wrist.  It occurs commonly in the weight bearing bones. Bones of lower leg and bones of the foot are the major victims of this stress injury.

The duration of healing process depends on the extent of injury. It also depends upon the angle of the fracture or dislocation of bone. The process of fracture healing occurs in four stages-Haematoma formation, cellular growth, callus formation and ossification. When there is a fracture in bone, blood capillaries discharge blood around the fractured bone.

Callus increases the bone thickness as it covers the fracture area of bone. Osteoblasts keep in check the essential mineral salts such as calcium and phosphate ions are deposited properly on callus. These mineral salts helps in strengthening of callus. Osteoclasts help in smoothness of bones. This is called as the remodeling phase of the healing process.

Phases Involved in the Fracture Healing Process

Do you know what happens with the broken bone after you met an accident? Have you ever thought how the broken bones heal and what are the phases involved during the fracture healing process? This is an interesting process. I will let you know what happens after the injury and what the phases of fracture healing are. You can hear a cracking sound if you have a broken bone. The fractured area gets swollen and you will feel pain. 

 Also there may be an irritation or inflammation around the fracture. As soon as the bone breaks, it starts bleeding. You must consult a doctor immediately so that you come to know about the severity of the broken bone. After knowing the type of fracture you have, you will get proper treatment. But do you know that before the treatment has started, the bone starts a healing process by itself? 

There are three major phases involved in the process, such as the following:

1.     Reactive phase: It is known as the inflammatory phase. The vessels stop bleeding and a clot is formed called hematoma. The outer cell of hematoma degenerates and dies. But some inner cells called fibroblasts remain alive and replicate. They form a loose layer of cells called granulation layer.

2.     Reparative phase:  After some days of fracture the inner lining of bone periosteum   also replicate to form chondroblasts. These chondroblasts fill the gap in the broken bones by making a net-like structure. The fibroblasts in the granulation tissue also develop into chondroblasts to form the hyaline cartilage. The process continues until the fractured gap is filled completely. This process is called as callus formation.

Importance of X-ray for Fracture Treatment

What is the role of X-rays in the fracture? X-ray shows the right position of the broken bone in the body. Without X-ray, it is not possible to see which bone/s is affected by the injury.

The X-rays shows the nature of the fracture, the condition of the bones and tissues, and whether any foreign objects have been introduced to the area. With the help of the X-ray results, doctor can take the right decision about the injury.  The images produced will also help the doctor determine what treatment can be done, like taping up ribs to immobilize them for healing. When broken bones are found in the extremities, they are often not exactly clean breaks and surgery may be needed to remove bone fragments, insert pins or rods to stabilize the bone, or realign the bones before any casts or immobilization aids can be applied to set the break.

When a person got into an accident, then there is lot of problem that can occur in finding the injury.  When an injury is not obvious, like a piece of bone is having broken the skin, X-rays must be taken to discern the exact nature of the break. Doctors always start their treatment after the X-ray. It is the right way of treatment. Not all breaks are obvious to the patient, or their companions, like broken ribs. Even a femoral fracture can be walked on, especially greenstick or stress fractures, with considerable pain, but it can be done.

Today’s there is the facility where you can have X-ray. So it is my suggestion to all the patients and the family members. Always use this facility when this type of problem occurs. The cost of this facility is usually around $150-400. In the government hospital this facility is free.