Break vs Fracture

We often hear the declaration that “I didn’t just break my bone I fractured it” or other people say it the opposite way I didn’t fracture my bone I broke it”. A broken bone is the same as a fracture. Fractures can be of varying severity- from a bone bruise to a compound fracture where the bone breaks the skin.

Some Fractures require a period of immobilisation while the bone heals but it is not always good to be completely immobilised as the fracture ends need some very small movement to stimulate healing. Immobilisation could be using a fibreglass cast or plaster-cast which might be applied at a hospital emergency room or there are other methods of immobilisation that can be done at Paddington Physiotherapy. Other options may include a sling, a boot, an ankle brace, wrist brace or a soft-cast. A soft-cast looks like a fibreglass cast but is lighter weight and can be used in more temporary situations. Taping and a good shoe can sometimes be used effectively for feet.

There are some fractures that do not show up on an early X-Ray Clear X-Ray doesn’t equal no problem!!

Sometimes a Ligament or Tendon pulls the bony attachment off. This is called an Avulsion fracture. Many avulsion fractures can be treated by Physiotherapy in a similar way to a ligament sprain may be treated. Avulsion fractures at the Ankle will very commonly be treated the same as a severe ankle sprain.

Other fractures are due to reduced bone density, which can be called osteopenia, or in the more advanced form, osteoporosis. More information on osteoporosis can be found at our blog Maintaining Healthy Bones – Preventing Osteoporosis