Will a chip fracture heal on its own?
Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. Treatment of an avulsion fracture typically includes resting and icing the affected area, followed by controlled exercises that help restore range of motion, improve muscle strength and promote bone healing. Most avulsion fractures heal very well without surgical intervention.
How is a chipped bone treated?
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.
Do you need a cast for a chipped bone?
The broken bone must be properly aligned and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the correct position. If you do not receive the correct treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. You may also have long-term problems with your joints.
What kind of injury is a chip fracture?
Chip fractures, commonly referred to as avulsion fractures, are a type of injury where small fragments of bones are chipped off the bone’s main structure.
What’s the difference between an avulsion and chip fracture?
Avulsion fractures – also known as chip fractures – and the process that comes after can be very confusing. Many people are not aware of what a chip fracture is or the steps to take after the injury occurs.
Why are chip fractures more common in teens?
Because of the mechanics that are involved in many chip fractures, it’s easy to see why they are more common in teens and children, because their bones are still growing and more prone to fractures when the ligaments and tendons are stressed.
Can a chip fracture in the middle finger be repaired?
Fractures frequently occur in the base of the middle finger bone. To detect these injuries, x-rays are taken of the side of the finger. Treatment is based on the amount of damage to the bone. A chip fracture involves less than 30 percent of the bone surface area and is considered stable, meaning it does not require surgery.
What are the four types of fracture?
Although there are many types of bone fractures, there are four main categories a fracture usually falls under: displaced, non-displaced, open and closed. We’ll start with the most grueling first: open and closed fractures.
What is the treatment for a chip fracture in the ankle?
Such fractures can be treated simply with a period of immobilization. Once the initial swelling improves over the first several days, either a cast or a fracture boot can be applied to the ankle to properly protect and immobilize it. Both a cast and a boot can provide adequate protection to the ankle.
What causes a simple fracture?
Causes of Simple Fractures. A bone is fractured when it is placed under intense force or stress that is stronger than the bone itself. This is often caused by a fall or impact with an object.
What are the symptoms of a chipped bone?
If you have a chipped bone, you will experience some or all of the following symptoms: pain in the area, inability to use the limb (or other location of the chip), instability at the site of the chip, swelling, bruising and bleeding within the tissue, and possible numbness or shock.