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7 Things to Know About Bone Fractures

Dr Alan Cheung

Dr Alan Cheung

Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Singapore

MBBS (London), MRCS (England), FRCS (Trauma and Orthopaedics, England), Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK), Fellow of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

7 Things to Know About Bone Fractures

From playground scrapes to the occasional misstep during exercise, bone fractures are a common experience that can strike anyone at any age. While they may seem like a simple break, fractures can range from minor hairline cracks to complete breaks with displacement.

Understanding the different types of fractures and the healing process is key to ensuring a smooth recovery and getting you back to your daily activities as quickly as possible.

What Are Bone Fractures?

A bone fracture is a medical condition where the continuity of the bone is broken. Fractures come in many forms. For instance, a simple fracture occurs when the bone breaks but does not damage the surrounding tissue or the skin.

A compound fracture is more severe, with the bone breaking through the skin or a deep wound exposing the bone. Hairline fractures refer to small cracks in the bone, while a comminuted fracture means the bone has shattered into three or more pieces.

What Are the Causes of Bone Fractures?

Here are some signs and symptoms to watch for:

  • Trauma: Most bone fractures result from high-force impact or stress from falls, car accidents, or sports injuries.
  • Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis, certain types of cancer, or osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) may weaken the bones, making them more likely to break.
  • Overuse: Engaging in repeated motions in sports or work can lead to stress fractures.

What Are the Types of Bone Fractures?

Fractures can be categorised based on their pattern or shape, cause, and location.

  • Oblique Fractures: This type of fracture has an angled pattern. It typically occurs in long bones like the femur or tibia.
  • Transverse Fractures: These fractures have a horizontal fracture line.
  • Longitudinal Fractures: As the name suggests, these fractures run lengthwise down the bone. They are less common than other types of fractures.
  • Greenstick Fractures: Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures where the bone bends and cracks but does not break through.
  • Comminuted Fractures: In this type of fracture, the bone shatters into three or more pieces.
  • Segmental Fractures: This occurs when a bone breaks in two places, leaving a “floating” segment of bone.
  • Spiral Fractures: These fractures occur when a bone breaks in a spiral or corkscrew pattern.
  • Stress Fractures: Also known as hairline fractures, stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone that occur over time due to repetitive force, often from overuse.
  • Buckle Fractures: Sometimes referred to as torus or impacted fractures, buckle fractures happen when one side of the bone compresses, causing it to buckle or bend without breaking.
  • Avulsion Fractures: These types of fractures occur when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone.
  • Clavicle Fractures: Also known as broken collarbones, these fractures affect the shoulders.
  • Shoulder Fractures: These usually involve the clavicle, humerus, or scapula (shoulder blade).
  • Humerus Fractures: These occur in the long bone in the upper arm.
  • Elbow Fractures: These can involve several bones located at the elbow joint.
  • Rib Fractures: These are fractures due to trauma to the chest.
  • Compression Fractures: These occur in the spine, often due to osteoporosis.
  • Facial Fractures: These involve the facial bones and can result from accidents, fights, sports injuries, or falls.
  • Metacarpal Fractures: These involve the bones in the hand just beyond the wrist.
  • Pelvic Fractures: These involve breaks in one or more of the bones in the pelvis.
  • Hip Fractures: Common among seniors, these fractures occur near the hip joint.
  • Femur Fractures: These are fractures of the thigh bone.
  • Patella Fractures: These are fractures affecting the kneecap.
  • Tibia and Fibula Fractures: These fractures affect the two bones in the lower leg, the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone).

What Are the Symptoms of Bone Fractures?

Bone fractures are often accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Pain, which may become worse with movement or pressure
  • Swelling and tenderness around the injured area
  • Difficulty moving or inability to move a part of your body like you usually can
  • Altered normal limb alignment
  • You may hear or feel a snap, grinding or popping noise as the injury happens
  • Obvious deformity, such as a bent arm or leg

How Is a Bone Fracture Diagnosed?

Initially, the orthopaedic doctor will discuss your symptoms, such as the nature of the pain (sharp, dull, or throbbing), swelling, bruising, deformity, and assess for any limitations in movement. You may also be asked about the cause of fracture, such as accidents or injuries. The doctor will also perform various imaging tests, such as an X-ray scan, CT scan or MRI scan to determine the location and extent of damage.

What Are the Treatments for Bone Fractures?

Treatment for bone fractures depends on the fracture’s type, location, and severity. Common treatments include:

  • Splints to stop the movement of the broken limb
  • Braces to support the bone
  • A plaster cast to provide support and immobilise the injured area
  • Surgery, in cases where the fracture needs to be aligned or the bone is broken into many pieces

What Are the Complications of Bone Fractures?

If not treated properly, bone fractures can lead to complications, including:

  • Chronic pain
  • Infection
  • Damage to blood vessels or nerves
  • Non-union, or failure of the bone to heal
  • Malunion, or healing of the bone in a misaligned position
  • Joint problems, such as arthritis

FAQs about Bone Fractures

Yes, some fractures can heal without surgery. Non-displaced fractures, where the bone pieces remain aligned, often heal with a cast, brace, or splint immobilisation.

However, displaced fractures, where the bone pieces are misaligned, and certain types of fractures (like some hip and wrist fractures) may require surgery to ensure proper healing.

In some cases, yes. However, medical intervention is often necessary to ensure the bone heals in the correct alignment and position.

Bone fracture recovery typically involves several stages:

  • Immobilisation: A cast, brace, or splint keeps the bone in place while it heals.
  • Pain management: Pain relievers may be used to alleviate pain.
  • Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy exercises can help restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility.
  • Gradual return to activities: It is important to avoid intense activities until the bone is completely healed to prevent re-injury.

The length of recovery varies depending on the severity and location of the fracture, the patient’s age, and overall health, and how well the patient follows their treatment plan.