Interesting Facts about Fractures | Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (2024)

FAQs

What do orthopedics do for fractures? ›

Surgery may be required to put certain types of broken bones back into place. Occasionally, internal fixation (metal rods or pins located inside the bone) or external fixation devices (metal rods or pins located outside of the body) are used to hold the bone fragments in place to allow alignment and healing.

Bone facts: The 5 most common broken bones are the humerus, the tibia, the ulna, the fibula, and the radius. Most painful break: That would be the femur bone.

Example: A comminuted fracture is the most difficult to repair due to the bone having fractured into numerous pieces. Multiple bone pieces require more effort to hold them together in the ideal position for healing.

The clavicle, also known as the collarbone, is the most common bone that is broken. It is located between the shoulder blade and upper ribcage. The collarbone is slender and positioned in a way that makes it easy to break in sports activities and car accidents.

The goal of fracture treatment is to allow the bone to heal and fuse back together. Often, this can be accomplished by immobilizing the bone for several months with the help of a cast and splint. The more severe the fracture is, the more likely it is that surgery will be recommended.

The hyoid bone fracture is a very rare fracture of the hyoid bone, accounting for 0.002% of all fractures in humans. It is commonly associated with strangulation and rarely occurs in isolation.

This is called a malunited fracture. A nonunion, delayed union, or malunited fracture may occur in any bone, but these conditions are most common in the humerus, or upper arm, and the tibia, or lower leg.

Research published by the British Medical Journal in the early 2000s listed the following locations as where fractures were most commonly missed on X-ray (radiograph): Hand – 23% Wrist – 17% Ankle – 17%

However, if the correct treatment isn't received, a serious infection or permanent deformity can develop. The record for the most broken bones in a lifetime is held by Evel Knieval, the famous motorcycle stuntman, who sustained 433 fractures by the end of 1975, when he retired from major performances.

What is the most fragile bone in the body? ›

The weakest and softest bone in the human is the clavicle or collar bone. Because it is a tiny bone which runs horizontally across your breastbone & collarbone, it is simple to shatter. Water makes up 31% of the weight of your bones. Your bones are four times more powerful than a concrete pound for pound.

Treatment includes immobilising the bone with a plaster cast, or surgically inserting metal rods or plates to hold the bone pieces together. Some complicated fractures may need surgery and surgical traction.

You might have an xray to look at your bones in case they might be broken. If we think they might be broken, we will put you into a temporary cast for support before going home. TTC: Someone from our Trauma Triage Clinic will discuss your injury with an orthopaedic consultant and make a plan to help fix your injury.

It is not advisable to wait a few days to see an orthopedic physician by appointment for fracture treatment. The sooner you get treatment for a fracture, the easier the treatment will be. Therefore, an urgent care center dedicated to orthopedic health is the perfect place for fracture treatment.