These Facts Can Help You Develop the Best Fracture Treatment Plan with Your Doctor

The musculoskeletal system contains the bones, muscles, and ligaments responsible for support and movement of the body. While all three work in conjunction to offer stability and support to the body, bones form the actual framework and provide sites for attachment, thus playing the central role in this system. When a fracture occurs, a patient will need to seek an orthopedic doctor for fracture treatment. However, knowing some information about a bone fracture can help you discuss the best treatment method with your doctor. As the leading name in orthopedics in Baytown, Texas, Dr. Horn Orthopedics knows that patients want to have a general understanding about fractures before discussing a treatment plan with a specialist, so we’ve listed some facts you may not have known about bone fractures:

 

What Bone is Most Commonly Affected?

This type of injury can happen anywhere in the body, but bones that are more commonly affected include the femur, tibia, fibula, radius, and ulna. However, the clavicle is believed to be the most commonly affected bone in the body, accounting for the majority of adult occurrences.

 

1. Osteoporosis can Cause Bone Fractures

 

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease seen in both male and female patients. This condition is a result of an imbalance between bone formation and removal that causes weak, brittle bones that are more prone to orthopedic issues. In patients with osteoporosis, even bending over can cause this injury to occur. In fact, fractures are so common with this condition, that it results in an occurrence every 3 seconds. Patients with osteoporosis should work closely with their orthopedic doctor to determine how to prevent a fracture, along with creating a treatment plan, should one occur.

 

2. Smoking Correlates with Fractures

While smoking may not be directly responsible for causing these types of injuries, it delays the healing process and hinders its union.  Smoking tends to interrupt healing at cellular levels by causing deficiency of oxygen. This, in turn, deteriorates the bone density. When combined, these factors can lead to the early onset of osteoporosis, greatly increasing the chances that a fracture will occur.

 

 

3. Fracture Treatment Doesn’t Always Mean Surgery

Patients seeking treatment often believe that surgery is their only option. However, this is not always the case. Typically, your orthopedic doctor will begin with conservative treatment options, like a cast or a splint, before resorting to surgery. Additionally, natural remedies may be added to the treatment plan to increase its effectiveness. For example, a calcium and Vitamin K supplement may be recommended to increase the amount of calcium in the bones and promote the conservation of this calcium.

 

Fractures can be painful and cause difficulty with a patient’s daily routine. However, knowing general information about what causes them and what treatment methods are available can help you formulate the best treatment plan for your situation. At Dr. Horn Orthopedics, we provide the leading fracture management and orthopedic services in Baytown, Texas. Call us at (281) 837-8550 or visit us at https://hornortho.com/contact/.