Fractures & Dislocations
Avoid Treatment Delay – Visit Midwest Express Clinic
Accidents that result in broken bones, fractures, and dislocations can happen without warning. Proper healing requires prompt medical treatment, but visiting the emergency room means you may be waiting for hours before even seeing a provider – and end up with an outrageous bill. Avoid the long delay and big out-of-pocket costs and visit our walk-in urgent care at Midwest Express Clinic. We have on-site x-ray and diagnostics to properly assess your injury so we can provide you with the most effective treatment plan. You can even let us know you’re on the way by reserving your spot in your nearest location’s waiting room online.
The Difference Between Fractures & Dislocations
Fractures are breaks or cracks in the bone(s), while dislocations are when a bone moves out of place from its usual connecting joint. Both fractures and dislocations can be very painful, but the symptoms you experience will help determine which injury you may have.
Fractures
Symptoms & Treatment
Fractures encompass a wide range of broken bones, from incomplete breaks to spiral, compression, segmental, and more. However, fractures are classified in only two ways:
Open or Compound
Bone poking through the skin and is visible, or there is a deep wound where the bone is exposed.
Closed or Simple
Bone is broken, but the skin remains intact.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a fracture will be different for everyone, but some common symptoms may include:
- Sudden pain
- Difficulty using or moving the injured area or nearby joints
- Inability to bear weight
- Swelling
- Noticeable deformity
- Warmth, bruising, or redness
Treatments
To properly treat a fracture, the bones need time to heal. Treatment for fractures may include:
- Immobilization with a splint or cast
- Pain medication
- Traction, or the use of pulleys, strings, and weights, to help the bone ends realign and heal
Certain types of breaks may require surgical treatment to repair and could involve the installation of metal rods or pins to hold the bones in place. Overall, fractures can take months to properly heal as new bone is formed between the broken pieces.
Dislocations
Symptoms & Treatment
Dislocations are specifically injuries to a joint where two or more bones come together. Essentially, the end of the bone is forced from its usual position, leading to temporary deformity and immobilization. This injury is most commonly found in shoulders and fingers, although many also experience dislocated elbows, knees, and hips.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of a dislocation include:
- Noticeable deformity
- Joint appearing out of place
- Swelling or discoloration around area
- Intense pain
- Inability to move the joint
Treatments
Treatment options will depend on the type and severity of the dislocation, but may include:
- Gentle manipulation
- Immobilizing the joint with a splint or sling
- Rest and regular application of ice and heat
- Pain medication
- Physical therapy
Typically, most patients are able to resume normal activity after several weeks of rest and rehabilitation, but some joints, like the shoulder, may become more at risk of repeat dislocation. If the injury is fairly severe, the provider is unable to move the bone back to its correct position, or nearby tissues have been damaged, surgery may be recommended.