What is a Comminuted Fracture and How It is Treated?

A comminuted fracture is a type of fracture in which a bone is fractured in at least two locations. Comminuted fractures in the long bones of the arms and legs usually cause discomfort and limited movement. Depending on the fracture site, tissue or organs may be affected. Traumas like car crashes can cause these fractures. Your bone will need surgery, and rehabilitation may take a year.

What Causes Comminuted Fractures?

Cracks in the bones that are broken into smaller pieces usually happen when something hits you hard and quickly. Many factors can cause these injuries. Common causes include:

• Car accidents
• Sports injuries
• Falls from heights

Signs & Symptoms?

It is typically characterized by discomfort in the vicinity of the fractured bones. The discomfort may worsen if you walk on a fractured leg. Other signs include:

• Bruising on the skin above the break
• Trembling or loss of feeling near the break
• The break, putting the affected body part, like an arm or leg, at an odd angle
• Not being able to move the affected body part without severe pain or stiffness

Difference Between Segmental & Comminuted Fractures

Comminuted and segmental bone fractures are dangerous. These words give your doctor detailed information about how your bones are broken, where they broke, and what they look like within your body right now. It involves many shattered bones. It is caused by trauma and is usually shatter-like. Plates never break evenly when dropped. It is consistent with the majority of comminuted fractures. 

Segmental fractures occur when a bone is shattered in two locations and a piece separates. Not all segmental fractures are comminuted. Getting your fracture evaluated by a doctor is the most critical step, regardless of the label. Either a comminuted or segmental fracture is a serious injury, and only a best pain doctor in Dallas can determine your treatment needs.

Diagnosing Comminuted Fractures

Tests or scans will help your doctor detect a comminuted fracture. They may use:

• X-ray: In this examination, energy beams are employed to capture images of your bones and other body parts. Your bones will be seen as white spots in the picture. A darker spot will be visible on the X-ray if your bone has a fracture.
• MRI: Large magnets and computers are used in these scans to take shots of your body’s insides from the outside. A computer monitor will be used by your physician to examine these images in order to identify any fractures.
• CT scan: Your doctor may create horizontal and vertical body images using this scan. Details are greater than in ordinary X-rays.

Comminuted fractures take longer to heal than normal fractures. It may take a year to heal, especially if you have previous trauma injuries. You will need physical treatment to regain power and flexibility of motion in the affected body component. This treatment will complement your other injury rehabilitation.

How To Treat Comminuted Fractures?

A lengthy or massive bone fracture requires surgery to fix a comminuted fracture. Fractures are repaired using a variety of techniques, and the specific technique employed by your surgeon will be dependent upon the nature of your injuries, the bone that has been fractured, and any additional complications that may have arisen following the trauma.

For healing and regrowth, your surgeon will reorient and stabilize your bones. Internal fixation, in which your surgeon inserts metal bits into your bone to hold it while it heals, is typical. Some internal fixing methods:

• Rods: A rod that goes from the top to the bottom of your bone and is put through the middle of it.
• Screws and plates: Strong metal plates are screwed into your bone to keep them in place.
• Metal pins and wires: These hold small pieces of bone in place that can’t be held in place any other way. They’re usually used with rods or plates. It is probable that pins and wires will be required to secure the fragments of your bone following a fracture.

A number of individuals maintain these components within their bodies. It is possible that you will require additional surgeries to eliminate them.

External Fixation

If necessary, an external fixation may be required. This is frequently a transitory solution that serves to stabilize your fracture while your other injuries recover. Your surgeon will position fasteners on either side of the fracture within your body and then link them to a brace or bracket that encircles the bone on the outside of your body.

Surgeons may prescribe external fixation before more invasive operations to treat a comminuted fracture. If you have several injuries, your body may need time to heal before internal fixing surgeries.

Bone Grafting

If your comminuted fracture is badly displaced or not healing well, you may need bone grafting. Your surgeon will add bone tissue to repair your fracture. Subsequently, they will typically administer an internal fixation to maintain the integrity of the fractured bone during the regeneration process. Bone grafts come from several sources:

• Usually from the top of your hip bone
• An outsider donor
• Fake replacement

Surgery can be done without staying at the hospital, so you may be able to go home the same day. However, the trauma that caused your fracture may have created secondary ailments that require hospitalization. Before putting weight on it or utilizing it, like before your injury, you may need a brace, splint, or cast.

Comminuted Fracture Home Care Tips

Home treatment for comminuted fracture symptoms:

• Avoid putting weight on the shattered bones.
• Use over-the-counter painkillers, but avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which can cause internal bleeding.
• Apply a cold compress to swollen areas to reduce pain.

It is abrupt and difficult to prevent. You can’t predict when you’ll be traumatized; therefore, you can only take safety procedures to avoid a fracture. Never walk without a walker or cane, and be careful on uneven ground. Complete any physical therapy prescribed by a doctor to restore maximum function.

Conclusion

Comminuted fractures are severe. If the trauma caused other injuries, your life may be forever changed. They are commonly caused by life-threatening events, making them difficult to distinguish. Consult with pain management in Dallas about your tailored trauma recovery plan and what to expect.