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Health

Pain in a fracture

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Pain in fracture occurs as a result of fractures of bone tissue. It means the presence of a complete or partial breach of the integrity of bones, when there are loads that exceed the strength of the site that is injured.

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Causes of pain in fracture

Fracture can occur in two types of cases: when there is a trauma, and when the patient suffered a disease that led to changes in strength and other characteristics of the bone tissues of the body and triggered the destruction of bones (swelling, osteomyelitis).

How severe will a person's condition be in a fracture, depends on the size of the bone sites that have been damaged, as well as the number of such sites. So, for example, massive blood loss and traumatic shock can cause the presence of multiple fractures, especially if it is large tubular bones. Recovery after injuries of this kind is slow, the patient can recover for several months.

Fractures can be open (if soft tissues, such as skin and muscles are also damaged) and closed.

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Symptoms of pain in a fracture

Symptoms of pain during a fracture are:

  • The presence of severe pain in certain areas near the site of injury;
  • the presence of hemorrhages and swelling in the soft tissues surrounding the damaged area;
  • If the damaged limb has changed its mobility and shape;
  • in especially severe cases, there may be a crunch, which is created by bone fragments;
  • characteristic symptoms of fracture of the bones is the pain in the fracture that occurs when a person takes a deep breath or coughs.

Pain can occur, as well as directly at the time the fracture occurred, and after a time after the situation. The fact is that along with a fracture of the bone, nerve endings are traumatized.

In case of bone fracture, its functioning is primarily disturbed, abnormal mobility is observed, accompanied by crepitation, deformation of the damaged site occurs. Reducing the muscles near the site of the fracture can lead to the fact that the injured limb is slightly shortened. With a fracture, shock and intoxication are possible (if there are extensive fractures in the presence of a disintegration of tissues that have been injured), an increase in body temperature, and hematoma.

Pain in fractures of the skull bones

One of the most dangerous types of fractures are fractures of the cranial bones. Such fractures occur if a person is hit on the head, most often the cause is a solid object. In addition, it can be a falling stone, or when a person fell and hit his head on stones or a hard surface. Pain in the fracture of the bones of the skull arises in a damaged place, it swells noticeably. If you carefully probe the fracture zone, you will feel the displacement of bone fragments, but this action is better not to conduct, in view of the danger of damage to the brain. This is the most unfavorable in this type of fracture - the brain from the impact and fractures of the cranial bones can be damaged. Fracture of the base of the skull is usually accompanied by such symptoms as:

  • the appearance of dark bruises under the eyes, and often they even appear on the entire okolaglaznom space (in the form of glasses);
  • the discharge from the nasal cavity of a transparent liquid, in which there is a small admixture of blood - called a cerebrospinal fluid;
  • sensation of weakness;
  • stunned state;
  • darkening in the eyes;
  • nausea;
  • vomiting.

The complexity of this fracture is that for the first time (several minutes) after the injury, the victim may not even notice his damage, as he will feel quite normal and can not give an objective assessment of his condition. The name of this state is a period of imaginary well-being. After this, there may be a sharp deterioration in the condition, even cardiac activity and breathing may stop.

Pain in fractures of the spine

Fracture of the spine and characteristic pain occurs when a person falls from a high place or strikes his head on the bottom when he dives; when there is a strong impact in the back (for example, in car injuries, rock falls); when a person falls under the rubble. Pain in spine fractures manifests itself in the back and is very strong, especially when a person makes attempts to move. The most dangerous in fractures of this type is that the fracture may damage the spinal cord, which is located in the vertebral canal. Spinal cord injury can arise from vertebral fragments, if they are destroyed, and also if they are displaced. Damage to the spinal cord causes paralysis of the hands and feet, and sometimes the entire body, while the person completely loses sensitivity and the ability to move.

Pain in a broken arm

Pain in the fractures of the hands occurs during the course of the bone. The limb acquires an unnatural shape for it, it is also possible to have unnatural mobility in those places where there are no joints, in addition, the limb can swell.

If there is a suspicion that the carpal bone is fractured or dislocated, the hand is bandaged to the wide tire in such a way that its origin falls on the middle of the forearm, and the end is at the fingertips. Before that, put a cotton wool (lump), bandage or something similar in the palm of your hand to bend your fingers. A cold place is applied to the damaged area.

Pain in the leg with a fracture

Pain in the fractures of the lower limbs arises along the bone, the limb swells, takes on an unnatural shape and mobility, in places where this should not be and joints are not located. To provide first aid for fractures of the legs, a tire is applied to the injured limb (a plywood plate, stick, cardboard or the like can be used). The length of the tire should be such that it can be located from the place above the edge of the pelvis (can be up to the armpits) to the heels. Thus, it is possible to achieve complete rest in the damaged limb. When applying the tire, it is advisable not to lift the damaged leg, but to hold it in the position in which it turned out, garters to the tire neatly pass under the waist, knee and heel, trying not to move the leg. A cold object must be applied to the damaged area.

Pain in fractures of ribs

Fractures of the ribs occur when a person falls from a height, if there is a squeezing of the chest, a direct stroke, etc. Pain in the fracture of the ribs is sharp and arises when a person breathes, coughs or changes the position of the body. With injuries to the ribs, the victim usually does not take deep breaths, from which he has a shallow breathing. The main danger in fracture of the ribs - can damage the pleura and lungs from the sharp edges of bone fragments. If lungs are damaged, subcutaneous emphysema may occur, when air enters the subcutaneous tissue. From this intercostal spaces are smoothed out, which is similar to edema.

To determine whether it is edema or not, you can feel the place of damage - in this case, from the fingers there will be some crunching, resembling a burst of small bubbles.

Pain in fracture of clavicle

Fractures of the clavicle usually arise from falling on an outstretched arm, less often - when a person falls on the shoulder joint or if a direct blow to the collarbone. Pain in the fracture of the clavicle usually occurs when a person tries to move his hand - in the collarbone painful sensations appear. Most often in this case, the victim presses his hand against the body and tries not to move it at all. The deformation of the clavicle can be observed externally, it is clearly visible; the fracture region swells. If one probes the fracture zone, the victim will feel the sharp soreness of this place. There is a shift of the outer part of the clavicle down and forward, which contributes to the heaviness of the arm. In fractures of the clavicle, the deep-seated vessels and nerves in the brachial plexus can also be damaged.

Pain in the fracture of the pelvic bones

Fracture of the pelvic bones is dangerous because he is accompanied by internal injuries. Only mortality from fracture of the cranial bones exceeds the death rate from fractures of the pelvic bones - this is a very dangerous type of fracture. Most often, a fracture of the pelvic bones and pain after it occur when a person falls into the rubble, under the rock falls, if falls from a height and with direct strong impacts. Pain in the fracture of the pelvic bones is very sharp, the injured person can not change the position of the body at all because of the intense pain that arises. Often the shape of the pelvis changes noticeably and is distorted. The posture of the patient usually resembles a frog - the person lies on his back, his legs bent at the knee joint and the hip joint are spread out to the side. The place of impact is accompanied by the formation of a hematoma. In fractures of the pelvic bones, internal organs are also damaged. Usually it is a bladder, rectum, urethra, etc. The victim may experience a traumatic shock. There is such a rule: if a victim with an unconscious state has multiple fractures in his presence, a priori suspect a fracture of the pelvic bones until it is proved that he is not.

Pain in ankle fracture

Pain in the fracture of the ankle is strong enough, they arise both in those cases when a person tries to move, and at rest. In fractures of the ankle, deformity of the limb occurs, a swelling appears in the damaged area. Some cases are characterized by displacement of bone fragments. Usually this happens if the ankle has a prolonged effect, as well as when the muscles attached to the bone, pull the ankle.

Severe pain is the first symptom of an ankle fracture, and often it does not occur in the place where the fracture is located. Particularly severe pain in the fracture of the ankle occurs in the foot or in the knee, so intense that they prevent a person from walking.

First of all, a fracture of the ankle is characterized by severe pain, which often occurs not in the place of the fracture itself. Often the most severe pain that prevents walking, patients feel in the foot or knee.

To reduce pain in the fracture of the ankle, you can apply something cold to the damaged area.

Pain after fracture

There are situations where pain after a fracture disturbs the victim even after bone fragments have grown together. In such cases, pain after a fracture is usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, flexural contractures, muscle atrophy. All these symptoms are most often due to the fact that nearby soft tissues have been traumatized; could develop a false joint and excessive callus, which is why blood microcirculation is disturbed and nerves are impaired. Thus, in the area of fractures there are recurrent edema. Disturbance of blood flow leads to the fact that the bone and surrounding tissues are not completely restored, because of which there may be a re-fracture. Such situations require that the patient undergo a special course of rehabilitation to eliminate pain after a fracture and other symptoms.

Diagnosis of pain in fracture

In most cases, the fracture is easily recognized, however, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, a specialist must be examined. In the diagnosis of pain during fracture, the doctor takes into account the direction of the fracture, its appearance, bone displacement, etc. This must necessarily be dealt with by a traumatologist, therefore, after providing first aid to reduce pain in the fracture and ensure the safety of damaged organs, the injured person must urgently diagnose a professional. Treatment of fractures can be both conservative and surgical.

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Treatment of pain in fractures

Specialists strongly recommend to refrain from independent attempts to correct the fracture. In whatever part of the body a fracture occurs, it is up to the person or the people surrounding him to create conditions in which the bone will remain in complete peace and stillness. Any movement and displacement will cause the appearance of sharp pain in the fracture. In addition, skin may break, blood vessels may be damaged, and severe bleeding may occur. In any case, the primary task is to deliver the patient to the hospital.

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