Trauma & Fracture
Trauma and Fracture Care
A fracture is a break in a bone — from a small crack to a complete break where the bone separates into pieces. Proper treatment restores alignment, promotes healing, and helps you return to normal function.
Symptoms
Signs of a Fracture
- Immediate pain at the site of injury
- Swelling and bruising
- Inability to move the affected limb
- Visible deformity (limb looks crooked or out of place)
- Tenderness when touched, and pain that worsens with movement or weight bearing
- A grinding sensation if the bone ends move against each other
Common Causes
How Fractures Happen
- Falls — the most common cause, especially in older adults with weakened bones.
- Sports injuries — direct impact, twisting, or repetitive stress during activity.
- Motor vehicle accidents — high-energy trauma causing complex fracture patterns.
- Osteoporosis — weakened bones that fracture with minimal force; common in the spine, hip, and wrist.
- Overuse — stress fractures from repetitive activity, common in runners and military recruits.
Classification
Types of Fractures
Simple (Closed)
The bone breaks but does not pierce the skin.
Compound (Open)
The bone breaks through the skin. Higher risk of infection; requires urgent treatment.
Comminuted
The bone shatters into multiple pieces. More complex to treat.
Displaced
Bone fragments are out of alignment. Often requires surgery.
Stress
A small crack from repetitive force. May not show on the initial X-ray.
Pathological
A break in bone weakened by disease such as cancer or osteoporosis.
Treatment · Step One
Non-Surgical Treatment
Many fractures heal without surgery if the bone fragments are in acceptable alignment.
- Casting — a plaster or fibreglass cast immobilises the bone while it heals.
- Splinting — allows for swelling while providing support; often used initially before casting.
- Bracing — removable braces for fractures that need support but allow some movement.
- Reduction — a displaced bone may be manipulated back into position under sedation before casting.
Treatment · When Needed
When Surgery Is Needed
Surgery may be needed for open fractures, displaced fractures that cannot be aligned by manipulation, fractures involving a joint surface, multiple fractures or polytrauma, fractures that fail to heal (nonunion), and pathological fractures.
- Open reduction & internal fixation (ORIF) — realignment held with plates and screws.
- Intramedullary nailing — a rod inserted into the bone canal.
- External fixation — pins and an external frame.
- Joint replacement — for certain severe fractures in older adults.
What to Expect
Recovery Timeline
Healing time varies by fracture location, severity, and patient factors.
Wrist
6 to 8 weeks in a cast. Full strength may take 3 to 6 months.
Ankle
6 to 12 weeks depending on severity. Weight bearing progresses gradually.
Femur
3 to 6 months. Usually requires surgery.
Hip
Surgery within 24 to 48 hours is ideal. Rehabilitation takes months.
The Goal of Treatment
Proper treatment restores alignment, promotes healing,
and helps you return to normal function.
Red Flags
Seek Emergency Care
Go to an emergency department immediately if:
- Bone is visible through the skin
- The limb looks deformed or is at an unnatural angle
- There is severe bleeding
- The fingers or toes below the injury are numb, cold, or blue
- You cannot move the limb at all
- Severe pain not controlled by elevation and over-the-counter medication
Get Started
Need Fracture Follow-Up?
For fractures treated in the emergency department that need follow-up, or for non-urgent fracture evaluation, call +966 50 580 8852.
Continue Exploring
Sports Medicine
ACL tears, meniscus injuries, and tendon problems — diagnosis to return-to-sport.