Is There a Difference Between a Broken Bone and a Fracture?
There is no difference at all between a broken bone and a fracture. A fracture is not a kind of break or a different degree of breakage. To break a bone is exactly the same thing as to fracture a bone.
Sometimes a snapping sound can be heard when there is a broken bone, or fracture, taking place. If the person cannot move the body part and is experiencing a lot of pain, a bone may have been broken. When a bone is broken, the part may still be able to be moved, but it will probably move abnormally.
An open break, or fracture, means that the bone is sticking out through the skin and the body is bleeding in response. The bleeding should be stopped without putting any pressure on the broken bone. Those with a broken bone in the neck or back should not be moved at all as it could cause further damage.
A broken bone, or fracture, in the arm or leg, may be put into a cast to help it heal. The cast must be kept clean and dry. It is usually said to be a good idea to raise the broken bone in the cast up when resting it to help keep swelling from occurring in the cast.
Sometimes an orthopedic surgeon will perform surgery on the broken bone rather than encasing the broken bone in a cast. Open reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF)is a surgical procedure that often uses screws and plates system to help keep the broken bone in place to heal it. An object called an intramedullary rod (IM rod) is sometimes used instead of the screws and plates. ORIF is also called Open Treatment.
A sprain and a strain are different from a broken bone, or fracture as they involve the ligament and not the bone. Ligaments bind the bones together. A sprain occurs when the ligament is ripped, while a strain occurs when the ligament is overstretched. Signs for both strains and sprains are similar and should be looked at by a medical professional. Bruising, swelling and pain are likely signs of either a sprain or a strain.
Written by Sheri Cyprus
