Arm Leg Fractures - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
An arm or a leg fracture is a break in the continuity of the bone. It is usually caused by major trauma, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, a skiing or motor vehicle crash, and child, spouse, or elder abuse (shown by multiple or repeated episodes of fractures). However, in a person with a pathologic bone-weakening condition, such as osteoporosis, bone tumor, or metabolic disease, a mere cough or sneeze can cause a fracture. A fracture can result in substantial muscle, nerve, and other soft-tissue damage. Children's bones usually heal rapidly and without deformity; the bones of adults in poor health or those with osteoporosis or impaired circulation may never heal properly. The prognosis varies with the extent of disability or deformity, the amount of tissue and vascular damage, the adequacy of reduction and immobilization. and the patient's age, health. and nutritional status.
Causes of Arm Leg Fractures
The common causes of Arm Leg Fractures :
- Major trauma, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, a skiing or motor vehicle crash, and child, spouse, or elder abuse (shown by multiple or repeated episodes of fractures).
- Pathologic bone-weakening condition, such as osteoporosis, bone tumor, or metabolic disease, a mere cough or sneeze.
- Prolonged standing, walking, or running.
Types of Arm or Leg Injuries
- Fractures (broken bones).
- Muscle overuse injuries from sports or exercise (e.g. shin splints of lower leg).
- Stretches and tears of muscles (e.g., pulled muscle).
- Dislocations (bone out of joint).
- Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (e.g. pulled muscle).
- Muscle bruise from a direct blow (e.g. thigh muscles).
Treatment of Arm Leg Fractures
- The patient with a severe fracture also may need fluid replacement (including blood products) to prevent or treat hypovolemic shock.
- In closed reduction, a local anesthetic such as lidocaine and an analgesic such as morphine I.M. minimize pain; a muscle relaxant such as diazepam I.V. or a sedative such as Midazolam facilitates the muscle stretching necessary to realign the bone.
- Treatment for an open fracture also requires careful wound cleaning, tetanus prophylaxis, prophylactic antibiotics and, possibly, additional surgery to repair soft-tissue damage.
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