Condition: Broken bones. It’s actually one of the injuries non-sports fans are familiar with as much as hard-core fans. It’s one of those things that can happen to anyone, unlike, say, Ulnar Collateral Ligament injuries. Breaks know no boundaries.
Technically called fractures, the trauma results from greater pressure or force on the bone than it can withstand. It can range from a hairline crack to a completely shattered bone. They can run horizontally or vertically across the bone and can be located in one spot or many.
The most gruesome fractures are known as open fractures because the broken bone actually pierces through your skin. This is particularly serious since it increases the chances of dangerous infections developing. Closed fractures, on the other hand, do not break through the skin, though the actual break itself can be just as dangerous.
More moderate fractures fall into three categories: hairline, greenstick, and buckle (torus). Complete fractures fall into six categories: single, comminuted, compression, nondisplaced, displaced, and segmental.
One last type of fracture is decidedly less dramatic that snapped or shattered bones but is much more common. Stress fractures are weak spots or tiny cracks in the bone that results from continuous use. They tend to occur in the foot or leg.
The overwhelming majority of sports fractures generally occur in the arms and legs.
Symptoms: Intense pain at the time of injury. The pain may worsen when trying to move the affected area. Dizziness and shock are not uncommon. More generally, swelling, redness, or bruising can occur. Sometimes, a visible deformity can be seen in the case of closed fractures.
Diagnosis: Medical attention is needed immediately. Normally, X-rays are the first and most common method of diagnosing a fracture. Sometimes, an MRI or CAT scan may be necessary to examine the wider area, including surrounding tissues.
Treatment: In cases of semi- to complete breaks, a doctor will need to guide the healing process in which new bone forms around the edges of the broken parts. Sometimes, a cast will need to be used to stabilize the broken bone and keep all the pieces immobile until they‘ve been properly mended. In rare cases, traction may be needed to stabilize the injury while also stretching the muscle and tendons around the bone.
Various medications may be administered to address pain and possible infections.
Rehab: Physical therapy is often recommended to help build up the injured area once healed.
IMAGE SOURCE: Creative Commons
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