A fracture is a common type of injury but one that needs specialized care and early intervention. At the office of Carlos A. Uquillas, MD, you will receive comprehensive fracture care to reduce pain and other symptoms and to preserve the integrity of your damaged bone. Dr. Uquillas is a fracture care specialist who offers both conservative and surgical treatments to ensure your fracture heals fully.
A fracture is a break in your bone that can result from direct trauma in sports, a fall, or a car accident. There are two types of fractions – open and closed.
Open fractures, also called compound fractures, describe breaks where the bone protrudes through your skin. This type of fracture can be extremely painful and cause bleeding and infection.
Closed fractures describe bone breaks that don’t poke through the skin.
You can also develop stress fractures in your bones as you get older or if you have underlying conditions like osteoporosis. Stress fractures can also occur if your overweight or obese, because of the excess pressure your weight puts on your bones.
If you don’t treat a fracture properly soon after the incident, it can result in complications that affect your health and mobility in the long term.
Some possible complications of untreated fractures include:
If a child fractures the growth plate in their leg, it can affect their development and cause their limbs to be uneven.
In open fractures, the bone will be visible through your skin and intense pain is likely. This type of fracture is a medical emergency, and you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for help.
When a closed fracture occurs, you’ll likely experience intense pain in the area. Other common symptoms of a closed fracture include bruising, swelling, numbness, and tingling sensations. You might also lose your range of motion in the affected area.
Any of these symptoms need a diagnostic evaluation with Dr. Uquillas. He offers on-site X-rays and other imaging tests to confirm the fracture. He also provides customized care plans to repair the bone and ensure you heal fully.
The goals of treating a fracture are to stabilize your bone and support the healing of your bone.
When you have a fracture that’s mild, you may only need to immobilize the bone for a period of time while it heals. Dr. Uquillas can recommend a brace that keeps the area still. You can use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relievers to improve your comfort.
For more serious fractures, surgery might be needed to repair and stabilize your bone. Dr. Uquillas specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat the fracture. He also has extensive training in growth plate surgeries to repair fractures of the growth plate without interfering in your child’s development.
If you suspect you have a fracture, don’t put off a diagnostic evaluation. Call the office of Carlos A. Uquillas, MD, nearest you today or book a consultation online to get the fracture care you need.
