![]() ![]() If more information is needed, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or another type of imaging study may also be ordered. X-rays will show the number of breaks in the bone, as well as the position and degree of separation (displacement) between the bony fragments. ![]() Your doctor will order x-rays to help determine the extent of the fracture. When there is any wound in the same area as a broken bone, it is assumed that there is an open fracture. Your doctor will then examine the wound and fracture site, checking for damage to soft tissues, nerves, and circulation. He or she will want to know how your injury occurred and will ask about your medical history. In the emergency room, your doctor will do an initial evaluation and check for other injuries. Most patients with open fractures will go to the emergency room for initial treatment. For this reason, preventing infection is the focus of early treatment. In extreme cases where the infection cannot be cured and the patient's life is threatened, amputation may even be necessary. The patient may require long-term antibiotics and multiple surgical procedures. In general, the greater the damage is to bone and soft tissues, the greater the risk of infection.Ī bone infection can be difficult to treat. Open fractures pose an immediate risk of infection. Knowing the setting where your injury occurred can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment. Objects such as dirt, broken glass, grass, mud, and even the patient's own clothing can be driven into an open wound. To some extent, the setting in which an open fracture occurs will affect the degree of contamination. The location of the wound and whether the soft tissues in the area have good blood supply.The size and number of the fracture fragments.The severity of an open fracture depends upon several factors, including: Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2008: pp. Reproduced and adapted from Zalavras CG, Marcus RE, Levin LS, Patzakis MJ: Management of open fractures and subsequent complications. Special care must be taken to prevent infection. Comminuted: The break is in three or more pieces.In this injury to the lower leg, the broken bones are not visible, but there is a small open wound over the fractures.Greenstick: The break is an incomplete fracture and the broken bone is not completely separated.Other terms used to describe a skull fracture are: Seek immediate medical attention for this type of fracture. In a closed fracture, bone is broken, but the skin is intact.Ī compound fracture is considered an emergency. In a compound fracture, bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin. Patients with basilar skull fractures usually require close observation in the hospital.Īlso, a skull fracture can be referred to as either compound or closed. This fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is normally held closely around the brain within the dura mater. ![]() They may also have clear fluid draining from their noses or ears. Patients with this type of fracture frequently have bruises around their eyes and behind their ears. This is the most serious type of skull fracture and involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull.
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