What is a fracture?

A fracture is a bone tissue injury due to a direct or indirect trauma (hit, impact, fall or torsion) causing the bone to break. Several types of fractures can be identified: closed (simple) fractures, compound fractures, compression fractures, greenstick fractures or fatigue fractures. Fractures can also cause injury to adjacent tissues (ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, skin).

What are the most common signs and symptoms of a fracture?

Intense pain to the touch and inability to move the limb without increasing pain.

• Swelling, redness, heat
• Bruising
• Deformation of the bone

What can cause a fracture?

There can be many causes of a fracture: an accident, a direct hit, a twisting motion or compression on a bone are some examples. Certain conditions predispose someone to have a fracture such as; osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, osteomalacia, bone cancer or rickets.

Physiotherapists are there for you!

In the case of a fracture physiotherapists can help you through the healing process both during the period of immobilization and after removal of a cast. They will help you re-establish your functioning and abilities.