Home | Free 14-Day Trial | Tutorial | Help
   Print   Email   Bookmark          More
Medical Disability Advisor  >  Fracture  >  Treatment

Fracture

Related Terms

  • Bone Break
  • Compound Fracture
  • Crack Fracture
  • Failed-union Fracture
  • Greenstick Fracture
  • March Fracture
  • Nonunion Fracture
  • Open Fracture
  • Split Fracture
  • Stress Fracture

Differential Diagnoses

Specialists

  • Occupational Therapist
  • Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) Surgeon
  • Physiatrist
  • Physical Therapist

Sign-in as a subscriber or take a free trial to see the renowned Reed Group physiological recovery durations in place of this advertising.

Factors Influencing Duration

Dominant versus non-dominant side, weight bearing status, type of immobility device, treatment method, and associated complications affect length of disability. In addition, the bone, its location, and severity of fracture affect disability.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
733.1 - Pathologic Fracture; Spontaneous Fracture
767.2 - Birth Trauma; Fracture of Clavicle
800 - Fracture of Vault of Skull, Includes Parietal and Frontal Bone
801 - Fracture of Base of Skull; Anterior; Middle; Posterior; Occiput Bone; Orbital Roof; Ethmoid; Frontal; Sphenoid Bone; Temporal Bone
802 - Fracture, Face Bones
802.0 - Fracture, Nasal Bones, Closed
802.1 - Fracture, Nasal Bones, Open
802.2 - Fracture of Mandible, Closed, Inferior Maxilla; Lower Jaw (Bone)
803 - Other and Unqualified Skull Fractures
804 - Multiple Fractures involving Skull or Face with Other Bones
805 - Fracture of Vertebral Column without Mention of Spinal Cord Injury
806 - Fracture of Vertebral Column with Spinal Cord Injury
807.0 - Closed Fracture of Rib(s)
807.1 - Open Fracture of Rib(s)
808 - Fracture, Pelvis
810 - Fracture, Clavicle
811 - Fracture, Scapula (Shoulder Blades)
812 - Fracture of Humerus
812.0 - Closed Fracture of Upper End of Humerus
812.1 - Open Fracture of Upper End of Humerus
812.2 - Closed Fracture of Unspecified Part of Humerus
812.3 - Open Fracture of Shaft or Unspecified Part of Humerus
812.4 - Closed Fracture of Humerus, Distal End; Closed Fracture of Elbow
812.5 - Open Fracture of Lower End of Humerus
813 - Fracture of Radius and Ulna
813.0 - Fracture of Upper End of Radius and Ulna, Closed; Proximal End
813.1 - Open Fracture of Radius and Ulna, Upper End
813.2 - Closed Fracture of Shaft of Radius and Ulna
813.3 - Fracture, Radius and Ulna, Shaft, Open
813.4 - Closed Fracture of Lower End of Forearm
813.5 - Fracture, Lower End of Forearm, Open
813.8 - Closed Fracture of Unspecified Part of Radius with Ulna
813.9 - Open Fracture of Unspecified Part of Radius with Ulna
814 - Fracture of Carpal Bone(s)
815 - Fracture of Metacarpal Bone(s)
816 - Fracture, Phalanges of Hand (One or More)
820 - Fracture of Neck of Femur
821 - Fracture of Femur, Other and Unspecified Parts
822.0 - Closed Fracture of Patella
822.1 - Open Fracture of Patella
823.0 - Closed Fracture of Upper End of Tibia or Fibula
823.1 - Open Fracture of Upper End of Tibia or Fibula
823.2 - Closed Fracture of Shaft of Tibia or Fibula
823.3 - Open Fracture of Shaft of Tibia or Fibula
823.8 - Closed Fracture of Tibia and Fibula, Unspecified Part
823.9 - Open Fracture of Tibia and Fibula, Unspecified Part
824 - Fracture of Ankle
824.0 - Closed Fracture of Medial Malleolus: Closed Fracture of Tibia Involving Ankle, Malleolus
824.1 - Open Fracture of Medial Malleolus
824.2 - Closed Fracture of Lateral Malleolus
824.3 - Open Fracture of Lateral Malleolus
824.4 - Closed Bimalleolar Fracture; Potts Fracture
824.5 - Open Bimalleolar Fracture
824.6 - Closed Trimalleolar Fracture
824.7 - Open Trimalleolar Fracture
825 - Fracture of Tarsal and Metatarsal Bones, One or More
825.0 - Closed Fracture of Calcaneus (Heel Bone)
825.1 - Open Fracture of Calcaneus (Heel Bone)
826.0 - Closed Fracture of Phalanges of Foot, One or More
826.1 - Open Fracture of Phalanges of Foot, One or More

Treatment

If the bone fragment ends are in adequate position for healing to occur, protective rest (immobilization) may be all that is needed for treatment of the fracture. The device used for immobilization may range from a sling, to a brace, to a cast. Measures to decrease swelling and pain include ice, elevation, and medication.

Fractures that are not in correct position (alignment) will require repositioning (reduction). This may be accomplished by applying gentle pressure on the bones after pain relief has been obtained (closed reduction). If this maneuver is not successful or not desirable, surgery may be indicated to realign the bone fragments (open reduction). Fractures that change position (unstable) will often require metal implants (fixation devices) to be inserted into the bony fragments to allow a stable and correct position. The material used is known as "hardware" and can consist of wires, screws, pins, rods, or plates. If the fracture site is surgically opened for the insertion of metal fixation the procedure is referred to as an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). If the metal fixation is applied on the outside of the fracture site as well, it is referred to as an external fixation device or external fixator.

Bone fragments that protrude through the skin (compound fracture) need to be treated in the operating room to prevent infection. This is also the case if the fragments slip back into proper position. The wound requires proper cleaning and treatment. Reduction of this type of fracture is a surgical procedure referred to as an open treatment of an open fracture. These individuals may require antibiotic therapy for several weeks to prevent infection.

Joints that have been both dislocated and fractured may require surgical repair of the joint's supporting structures, as well as treatment of the fracture. Injuries that result in the pulling away of tendons (with a small attached bone fragment) from the bone are known as avulsion fractures and are sometimes treated surgically to reattach the bone fragment and, therefore, the tendon. This is common in injuries to the fingers and ankle.

If bone healing is inefficient and/or ineffective, the process of bone healing may be stimulated or accelerated with a bone stimulator consisting of electromagnetic coils applied over the skin or placed over the fracture during surgery. The application of electromagnetic coils could decrease healing time and, therefore, decrease disability time. Coils are not used for acute fractures. Some fractures can also be treated with ultrasound to accelerate healing.

Pain over an area with a high incidence of occult fractures may be treated with a protective splint or cast and re-examined in 2 weeks. This is common in the wrist (scaphoid or navicular bone) and foot.

Source: Medical Disability Advisor






Feedback
Send us comments, suggestions, corrections, or anything you would like us to hear. If you are not logged in, you must include your email address, in order for us to respond. We cannot, unfortunately, respond to every comment. If you are seeking medical advice, please contact your physician. Thank you!
Send this comment to:
Sales Customer Support Content Development
 
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the author, editors, and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting or other professional service. If medical, legal, or other expert assistance is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. We are unable to respond to requests for advice. Any Sales inquiries should include an email address or other means of communication.