Did you know that one cubic inch of bone can withstand the weight of five standard pickup trucks? Ounce for ounce, bone is stronger than steel. As strong as bones are, repetitive force or a direct blow can take a toll on its strength and cause it to break.
Although each bone has the potential to break, some are much more susceptible than others. The most common fractures bones and their symptoms are:
Ankle- A fractured ankle occurs when one or more of the bones that make up the ankle are broken. A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking to several fractures, which forces your ankle out of place and may require that you not put weight on it for a few months. Common causes of ankle fractures include twisting or rotating your ankle, tripping or falling, rolling your ankle, and heavy impact during a car accident.
Symptoms include:
- Immediate and severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tender to touch
- Difficulty or pain with walking or bearing weight
- Deformity
Collarbone- A collarbone fracture is a break in the long bone that connects your breastbone to each of your shoulders. Collarbone fractures are typically caused by falls, sports injuries, and vehicle accidents. For newborn babies, collarbone fractures are caused by delivery trauma, such as when the baby gets stuck in the birth canal or when tools are used to assist with the delivery.
Common symptoms of a fractured collarbone include:
- A bulge on or near your shoulder
- Bruising
- Grinding or crackling sensation with shoulder movement
- Pain that increases with shoulder movement
- Stiffness or inability to move your shoulder
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Forearm- Your forearm is made up of two bones, the radius, and the ulna. In most cases of forearm fractures, both bones are broken. Fractures can be caused by a direct blow to the arm, a fall on an outstretched arm, often during sports, or a vehicle accident.
Symptoms to look for include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Inability to rotate the arm
- Numbness or weakness in the fingers or wrist
Hip- A hip fracture occurs when there is a break in the upper portion of the thigh bone. Hip fractures are common among elderly patients whose bones have become brittle because of osteoporosis or aging. When hip fractures happen in younger patients, they are typically caused by high-intensity sports or high-impact accidents, such as a fall from a ladder or a vehicle collision.
The following are the common symptoms of a hip fracture:
- Bruising and swelling around the hip area
- Inability to put weight on the leg on the side of the injured hip
- Outward turning of the leg on the side of the injured hip
- Severe pain in the hip or groin
Wrist- A wrist fracture can happen when you break any one of the small eight small bones in the wrist. Wrist fractures are common in individuals with osteoporosis and those who engage in contact and high-intensity sports, such as hockey players, basketball players, and gymnasts.
If you have a broken wrist, you may experience:
- Bruising
- Noticeable deformity
- Severe pain that gets worse when gripping, moving the hand, or squeezing
- Swelling
- Tenderness
If you suspect that you have a bone fracture, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention for proper treatment. Leaving it untreated can result in improper healing, infection, and other serious complications. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hicken, give us a call at 435-787-2000.
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