Fractures

Fractured bones require a prompt diagnosis and expert treatment to ensure the injury heals correctly. If you need a fracture repaired, call Jon Thompson, MD, at his office in McKinney or Prosper, Texas. A double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Thompson assesses fractures and offers treatments that promote proper healing. Call Jon Thompson, MD, today or book an appointment online to benefit from outstanding fracture repair.

What are fractures?

Fractures are breaks in your bones. They’re caused by falls, auto accidents, sports injuries, and other traumas. Bones can bend a little (more so in children than adults), but enough force can snap any bone. Common fractures include:

Greenstick fractures

Children and adolescents’ bones can break partway, leaving one side of the bone intact. This break is called a greenstick fracture because it resembles how live wood breaks.

Compound fractures

You have a compound fracture if you see the broken bone through your skin. These fractures are painful and prone to infection.

Comminuted fractures

Sometimes bones break into three or more pieces. Crush injuries can cause several fractures that shatter the bones.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures develop slowly when the bones come under repeated pressure. Tiny cracks develop, building up gradually and causing long-term pain and weakness. Stress fractures are common sports injuries.

Vertebral compression fractures

Vertebral compression fractures happen when the spinal bones collapse, resulting in wedge-shaped vertebrae. The cause is osteoporosis, a disease of older age that weakens the bones.

What symptoms do fractures cause?

When you break a bone, it can cause instant, often severe, pain. Other fracture symptoms include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Difficulty moving the affected area
• Inability to bear weight
• Visible abnormalities under the skin

Compound fractures bleed, and you can see the broken bone sticking through your skin.

Severe ligament sprains can cause similar symptoms to fractures. It’s necessary to get expert medical advice from Dr. Thompson if you have these symptoms to ensure you receive the correct treatment.

Dr. Thompson has many years of experience assessing fractures. He examines the affected area and asks how the injury happened. You’ll need X-rays or possibly a CT scan to allow Dr. Thompson to see the internal damage.

How are fractures treated?

The treatment Dr. Thompson recommends for your fracture will vary depending on the kind of fracture you suffered and how severe it is. A simple fracture where the bones don’t move out of place will heal with a cast or splint. Dr. Thompson can correct a slight misalignment by moving the bones back into position with his hands (this is called closed reduction).

More severe fractures might need surgery (open reduction). Dr. Thompson repairs the broken bones using pins, plates, and screws to keep them in position while they heal. You’ll need a cast on the area to immobilize the repaired bone while it heals.

Call Jon Thompson, MD, today or book an appointment online for expert fracture repair.