What is a fracture?
Bone is an extremely strong structure with a very complex architecture. To give you an idea, it takes a force of 1000 kg per cm3 to break a bone. It is therefore very resistant to torsion, compression, shearing, etc.
How to spot a fracture?
To begin with, the patient feels intense pain produced by impact, compression, traction, or other action on a specific area. The clinical examination allows to orientate the diagnosis and the X-ray or scanner (and sometimes even the ultrasound) will confirm the diagnosis.
Unfortunately, some fractures (such as the scaphoid fracture) are not immediately visible on imaging, which is why some patients have to have an X-ray 10 days after the shock.
Fatigue fractures, on the other hand, may not be visible on imaging.
Some complementary exams can be prescribed such as a bone scan, this exam allows to evaluate the state of the bone.
How does a fracture evolve?
Healing from a fracture takes time and you have to be patient.
Bone is a structure in the body that is vascularized, so there are many blood vessels that run through the bone. When a fracture occurs, the vessels are also affected, they start to bleed and create a hematoma in the fracture area.
- 1st phase: The hematoma produced after the fracture will be accompanied by an inflammatory reaction of the area. This phase lasts 15 to 20 days.
- 2nd phase: A fibrous callus forms and the periosteum thickens.
- 3rd phase: Approximately 20 days after the shock, the compact bone covers the callus. Approximately 40 days later, the appearance of bone trabeculae will allow the formation of a bony callus. It will take 8 to 10 months for the medullary canal and the osteons to rebuild.
How is a fracture treated?
Treatments are varied and depend on the location and severity of the fracture.
Immobilization: For example, for a broken toe where the bone is not displaced, a brace is sufficient. But in some cases a cast or resin may be necessary.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery can be performed, including the placement of plates or pins, etc. But this is not automatic.
Osteopathy and fractures
It is not possible to consult an osteopath for a fracture during the first three months of the fracture. Remember, you should never touch a fracture until it has healed. However, if pain is noticed by compensation, your osteopath will be able to take care of you, but will not touch the fracture area.
After three months, your osteopath will be able to see you in a post-treatment consultation. Your practitioner will examine you and treat any dysfunctions in the injured area.
Osteopathy sessions do not replace rehabilitation sessions at the physiotherapist's but are additional and can reduce the recovery time and reduce pain.
Good advice to avoid fracture
- Avoiding trauma of any kind
- Engage in physical activity. The traction of the muscles on the bone and the constraints of physical activity will promote the renewal of bone cells also called osteogenesis.
- Acting against osteoporosis.Osteoporosis is a pathology that reduces bone density, it mainly affects patients who have undergone corticosteroid therapy, people suffering from certain hormonal disorders, the elderly, but also people who have suffered from malnutrition. It is essential for patients suffering from this pathology to be medically monitored and to compensate by increasing their intake of calcium, vitamin D and reasonable exposure to the sun.
Marie Messager
Osteopath D.O
In Versailles - 78
