Bone fractures are one of the most common types of injuries in America. They happen to millions of people each year, and, as you know, they can be extremely painful.

So, how treatable are fractures, and is it possible to make a full recovery once you break or fracture a bone? Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team shares some helpful info below, so keep reading!

What Exactly Is a Fracture?

A fracture is what many of us know as a “broken bone.” When a fracture occurs, the bone breaks either totally or partially, with both types causing lots of pain and discomfort.

A fracture changes the shape of the bone, and it can either happen straight across the bone or along its length. There are many types of fractures, and we’ve listed some of the most common ones below.

Types of Fractures

• Closed or open fractures: If the injury doesn’t open the skin, it’s called a closed fracture. If the skin does open, it’s called an open fracture or, perhaps more commonly, a compound fracture.
• Complete fractures: The break goes completely through the bone, separating it in two.
• Partial fractures: The break doesn’t go all the way through the bone.
• Stress fractures: The bone gets a crack in it, which is sometimes tough to find with imaging.

Can Fractures Get Worse?

If you’ve fractured a bone, it’s so important to get medical treatment right away. If you don’t get the necessary treatment, a fracture can result in a nonunion. This means that the bone won’t be set or allowed to heal itself, which means that swelling, tenderness and pain will continue to worsen over time.

In general, though, bones are amazingly good at healing themselves when they are treated and set correctly. Although they can be successfully treated, no one wants to deal with the pain of a fracture. Keep the preventive tips that we’ve listed below in mind to lower your risk of fracturing a bone.

Fracture Prevention Tips

• Avoid falling. You can do this by doing simple things like working on your balance and decluttering your home.
• Stay physically active. Aerobic exercise like walking and jogging helps keep bones healthy and strong.
• Eat healthy. Watching your diet is one of the best ways to benefit bone health. Foods rich in calcium, like almonds, eggs and green veggies all promote bone health.

Dealing with a broken bone? We can help! Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC team today.