Will a bone fracture cause swelling?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on December 02, 2024
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A bone fissure is actually a type of fracture. It refers to the occurrence of a fissure fracture in the cortex of the bone, but the stability of the bone remains intact. A bone fissure can also present symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, and restricted movement.

Following a bone fissure, there will be localized bleeding, and the surrounding soft tissues may also be damaged, contributing to swelling. Therefore, in the early stages of a bone fissure, it is advisable to immobilize and rest the affected area. Cold compresses can be applied to reduce local blood flow, thereby easing bleeding and alleviating swelling.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Does a bone fracture hurt?

A bone fissure is actually a type of fracture, referring to a fracture where there is a crack in the cortical bone, but the stability of the bone is maintained. When a bone fissure occurs, it's important to immobilize and rest, avoiding excessive movement to prevent aggravating the cortical crack. Therefore, after a bone fissure occurs, common symptoms of a fracture such as pain, swelling, and limited mobility may also appear. Hence, if pain is severe after a bone fissure, it might be appropriate to choose some pain-relieving medications to alleviate the symptoms. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How to treat a fracture?

Patients with bone fractures, due to the force applied causing partial fractures in the bone, do not necessarily represent a complete break and won’t exhibit noticeable symptoms of displacement or misalignment. Generally, patients with bone fractures only require a plaster cast for immobilization, typically for about four weeks. After a month, you can visit the hospital to get an X-ray to check for osseous union at the fracture ends. If the fracture ends have achieved osseous union, then normal activities and weight-bearing walking can be resumed. Thus, for bone fractures, simply applying a plaster cast for immobilization for four weeks is sufficient.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is the bone fracture serious?

Is a bone fracture serious? First, it needs to be clarified that a bone fracture is indeed very serious. This indicates that the external force involved at the time was quite strong, disrupting the continuity and integrity of the local bone. It usually manifests as local swelling, pain, and restricted movement. Some patients may experience extensive subcutaneous bruising, and even a low fever, so a bone fracture is indeed very serious. For such patients, active treatment with plaster cast immobilization is necessary, elevating the affected limb, and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, as well as drugs that promote fracture healing.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Post-fracture sequelae

For the sequelae of bone fractures, usually, patients who have sustained a fracture will not have sequelae if they actively cooperate with treatment. However, if treatment is improper, a series of sequelae can easily occur, with the most common manifestations being the following. First, after the fracture, if there is no active and strict attention to rest, protection, and immobilization, later muscle traction can cause displacement at the site of the fracture, leading to deformity healing and affecting the patient's normal function. Second, after a fracture, due to prolonged inactivity, the joints may become stiff and the muscles may contract. When it becomes possible to exercise later, patients may exercise insufficiently due to fear of pain, resulting in very poor joint mobility, which affects the normal function of the patient. Third, for fractures in some special areas, such as a femoral tibial fracture, this may lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head in patients.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How long does a bone fracture need to rest?

A bone fissure is actually a type of bone fracture, which refers to the presence of a crack in the cortical bone, but the stability of the bone remains. Bone fissures also require immobilization and rest to promote healing of the fracture. Generally, healing of a bone fissure takes about 8-12 weeks. However, this can vary based on the specific location of the fracture, the blood supply to the fracture site, and the presence of injuries to other areas, among other factors. Therefore, the typical rest period for a bone fissure is about three months.