What is a Fracture?

Article featured on MedicalNewsToday

A bone fracture is a crack or break in a bone. Bone fractures usually result from a high force impact or stress. People with osteoporosis or bone cancer may experience a fracture with very little impact.

A fracture that results from a medical condition that weakens the bones is called a pathological fracture.

In this article, we detail the different types of bone fractures, their various causes, and the treatments available.

What is a bone fracture?

A bone fracture is a full or partial break in the continuity of bone tissue. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body.

There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture. For example, a closed fracture is a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin.

By contrast, a compound fracture is one that damages surrounding tissue and penetrates the skin. Compound fractures are generally more serious than simple fractures due to the risk of infection.

Types

There are a number of other fracture types, including:

  • Avulsion fracture: A muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it.
  • Comminuted fracture: An impact shatters the bone into many pieces.
  • Compression, or crush, fracture: This generally occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the spine may collapse due to osteoporosis.
  • Fracture dislocation: This occurs when a joint dislocates, and one of the bones of the joint fractures.
  • Greenstick fracture: The bone partly fractures on one side but does not break completely, because the rest of the bone can bend.
  • Hairline fracture: This is a thin, partial fracture of the bone.
  • Impacted fracture: When a bone fractures, a piece of the bone may impact another bone.
  • Intra-articular fracture: This occurs when a fracture extends into the surface of a joint.
  • Longitudinal fracture: This is when the fracture extends along the length of the bone.
  • Oblique fracture: An oblique fracture is one that occurs opposite to a bone’s long axis.
  • Pathological fracture: This occurs when an underlying condition weakens the bone and causes a fracture.
  • Spiral fracture: Here, at least one part of the bone twists during a break.
  • Stress fracture: Repeated stress and strain can fracture a bone. This is common among athletes.
  • Transverse fracture: This is a straight break across the bone.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a fracture vary depending on its location, a person’s age and general health, and the severity of the injury.

However, people with a bone fracture will typically experience some of the following:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • bruising
  • discolored skin around the affected area
  • protrusion of the affected area at an unusual angle
  • inability to put weight on the injured area
  • inability to move the affected area
  • a grating sensation in the affected bone or joint
  • bleeding if it is an open fracture

In more severe cases, a person may experience:

Causes

Healthy bones are extremely resilient and can withstand surprisingly powerful impacts. However, under enough force, they may crack or break.

Physical trauma, overuse, and health conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, are the leading causes of bone fractures. Other factors can also increase an individual’s risk of sustaining fractures.

A person’s bones will typically weaken with age, which increases the risk of them breaking. As a person ages, the likelihood of their developing a condition that weakens the bones is also greater.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Working Out After Injury

Article featured on Hospital for Special Surgery

It can be tough to know how to safely return to exercise after you’ve been hurt.

Here’s how to get back to exercising after an injury.

1. Do check in with your doctor for a game plan.

First things first: If you have a persistent injury that you haven’t yet seen a doctor for, that’s step one. “The most important thing to do after an injury is to get the right diagnosis for treatment and a recovery plan,” Dr. Carr says. He explains that he customizes treatments and recovery programs based on his patients’ injuries and sports of choice. “Every injury is unique, and there are different demands on your body based on the activities you’re involved in. I won’t give the same advice to an equestrian that I would give to a soccer player, even for the same kind of knee injury.”

2. Don’t rush back too quickly.

If you were off for a week because of a shoulder injury, plan to take two weeks to get back to where you were before the injury,According to Dr. Carr, your recovery should last twice as long as the time that your injury kept you out of commission. “If you were off for a week because of a shoulder injury, plan to take two weeks to get back to where you were before the injury,” he says.

Keep in mind that the period in which you weren’t able to exercise or participate in sports affected more than just the injured area. “After a break, you lose strength, coordination and flexibility — not only where you were injured but also elsewhere in your body,” Dr. Carr says. That deconditioning, combined with adjusting your movements to compensate for weaker or painful areas, is how many people get hurt. “It’s common to come back from an injury and then get an injury in a different spot,” he says. “People with a hurt right knee will put more weight on their left side, for instance. That sets you up for another injury.”

3. Do start with small goals.

A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step — so do yourself a favor and make it a small one. “Go gradually, with the aim of slowly getting back to normal,” Dr. Carr says. Start with some easy stretching and strength training. “There are a variety of things you can do to regain flexibility and range of motion,” he adds, like Pilates or yoga. If you’re working out at home, try some flexibility training with dynamic (active) stretching.

As for strengthening, Dr. Carr advises starting with bodyweight or band exercises, cable machines or light weights. “Avoid Olympic weights and bench presses,” he says. “Increase your strength without loading your body too much. Then gradually work your way up to more weight.”

4. Don’t ignore pain.

Though we may enjoy the physical and mental challenges of being uncomfortable when we exercise, post-injury is not the time to push through pain. “Don’t be a hero,” Dr. Carr says. “Rehab is not the time to push it — don’t ignore pain, discomfort or other reactions in your body.”

Check in with your body before you exercise. “I tell patients that they need to have normal function for daily activities before they start exercising,” he says. “If you twinged your knee, and it hurts when you’re doing the dishes or walking up and down stairs, it’s going to hurt if you go for a four-mile run. Make sure you have no pain and full range of motion before loading the joint again. And if you’re feeling discomfort two days after exercise, or persisted through an activity despite pain, you’ve pushed too hard. Cut back on the effort.”

5. Do get back to what you love, once you’re ready.

Ultimately, you want to return to the exercises and activities you love — and you should! Once you’re pain-free, hit the courts or links for some limited play. “If you play tennis, for example, start with a few groundstrokes — but no serves,” Dr. Carr says. “See how you’re feeling during and after. The next time you go out, work the baseline a bit, maybe hit a couple serves. Work your way into it. Next time out, play a few points — a game or two. Then, by all means, test it out and play a match.”

Similarly, if your sport of choice is golf, start with chipping and putting. “Then play nine,” he says. “If that feels OK, go ahead and play 18 next time.”

“You want a nice, gradual return,” Dr. Carr says. “That’s how the pros do it. The skills will come back.”


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

How to Select the Best Athletic Shoes for You

Article featured on Foot Cared MD

How Do I Pick Athletic Shoes?

Gym shoes, sport shoes, sneakers — whatever you call them, proper-fitting athletic shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Follow these fitting tips from foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons when purchasing your next pair.

  • Purchase shoes from a specialty store, if possible. The staff will provide valuable input on the type of shoe needed for your sport as well as help with proper fitting.
  • Try on athletic shoes after a workout or run and at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. Fit your shoe to your largest foot.
  • Wear the same type of sock that you would wear for that sport.
  • Re-lace the shoes. You should begin at the farthest eyelets and apply even pressure as you create a crisscross lacing pattern to the top of the shoe.
  • Check the fit. When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle your toes. Make sure you can fit at least one thumb between your longest toe and the end of the shoe’s toe box. The shoes should be comfortable as soon as you try them on. Don’t plan on them fitting better after “breaking them in.”
  • Walk or run a few steps in the shoes and make sure they are comfortable.
  • Check the heel. There should be a firm grip of the shoe to your heel and your heel should not slip as you walk or run.
  • Consider a sport-specific shoe. This may be necessary if you participate in a sport 3 or more times a week.
  • Change shoes regularly. After 300-500 miles of running or 300 hours of exercise, the cushioning material in a shoe is usually worn down and it’s time to replace the shoes.

What Type of Athletic Shoe Should I Get?

Athletic shoes can vary in design, material, and weight. These differences have been developed to protect the areas of the feet that are most stressed during a particular athletic activity.

  • Running, training, and walking shoes, including shoes for hiking, jogging, and exercise walking.
  • Court sport shoes, including shoes for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Most court sports require the body to move forward, backward, and side-to-side. As a result, most court sport shoes are subjected to heavy abuse.
  • Field sport shoes, such as those for soccer, football, and baseball. These shoes are cleated, studded, or spiked. The spike and stud formations vary from sport to sport, but generally there are replaceable or detachable cleats, spikes, or studs affixed onto nylon soles.
  • Track and field sport shoes that often come in many models to meet the specific needs and training styles of individual runners.
  • Specialty sport shoes, including shoes for golf, aerobic dancing, and bicycling.
  • Outdoor sport shoes, including shoes used for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and boating.

What Should I Look for in an Athletic Shoe?

Running Shoes
Conventional thinking suggests that a good running shoe should have ample cushioning to absorb shock, but there are advocates for minimalist running shoes that have almost no cushioning. No data exist to say which type of shoe is better.

If you choose a cushioned shoe, look for overall shock absorption, flexibility, control, and stability in the heel counter area (a hard insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe), as well as lightness and good traction. These features may help prevent shin splints, tendinitis, heel painstress fractures, and other overuse injuries.

Walking Shoes
If walking is your activity of choice, look for a lightweight shoe with extra shock absorption in the heel of the shoe and especially under the ball of the foot. This will help reduce heel pain as well as burning and tenderness in the ball of the foot. A shoe with a slightly rounded or rocker sole (the entire part of the shoe that sits below the foot) also helps to encourage the natural roll of the foot during the walking motion. You should also look for a comfortable soft upper (the entire part of the shoe that covers the foot) and smooth tread (the part of the sole that touches the ground).

Aerobic Shoes
Shoes for aerobic conditioning should be lightweight to prevent foot fatigue and have extra shock absorption in the sole beneath the ball of the foot, where the most stress occurs. If possible, work out on a soft surface (e.g., a carpet).

Tennis Shoes
Tennis players need a shoe that supports the foot during quick side-to-side movements or shifts in weight. Look for a shoe that provides stability on the inside and outside of the foot. Flexibility in the sole beneath the ball of the foot allows repeated, quick forward movements for a fast reaction at the net. On soft courts, wear a softer soled shoe that allows better traction. On hard courts, you want a sole with greater tread.

Basketball Shoes
If basketball is your sport, choose a shoe with a thick, stiff sole. This gives extra stability when running on the court. A high-top shoe may provide added support but won’t necessarily decrease the risk of ankle sprain or injury.

Cross Trainers
Cross-training shoes, or cross trainers, combine several of the above features so that you can participate in more than one sport. A good cross trainer should have both flexibility in the front of the foot needed for running and lateral control necessary for aerobics or tennis.

You do not necessarily need a different pair of shoes for every sport in which you participate. Generally, you should wear sport-specific shoes for sports you play more than 3 times a week.

You may need a special shoe to address specific foot and ankle problems. For example, if your ankles turn easily, you may need to wear a shoe with a wide heel. If you have trouble with shin splints, you may need a shoe with better shock absorption. Talk to your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon if you have concerns.

Other Design Features

Special features in construction will make athletic shoes more comfortable as well as help prevent injury:

  • slip-lasted shoe is made by sewing together the upper like a moccasin and then gluing it to the sole. This lasting method makes for a lightweight and flexible shoe with no torsional rigidity.
  • board-lasted shoe has the “upper” leather or canvas sewn to a cardboard-like material. A person with flat feet (pes planus) feels more support and finds improved control in this type of shoe.
  • combination-lasted shoe combines advantages of both other shoes. It is slip-lasted in the front and board-lasted in the back. These shoes give good heel control but remain flexible in the front under the ball of the foot. They are good for a wide variety of foot types.

What If I Develop Foot Problems?

If you begin to develop foot or ankle problems, simple adjustments in the shoes may relieve the symptoms. Many of these devices are available without prescription.

  • heel cup provides an effective way to alleviate pain beneath the heel (such as plantar fasciitis). Made of plastic or rubber, the heel cup is designed to support the area around the heel while relieving pressure beneath the tender spot.
  • metatarsal pad can help relieve pain beneath the ball of the big toe (sesamoiditis) or beneath the ball of the other toes (metatarsalgia). Made of a felt material or firm rubber, the pad has adhesive on its flat side. Fixed to the insole behind the tender area (closer to the heel or further from the toes), the pad shares pressure normally placed on the ball of the foot. This relieves pressure beneath the tender spot.
  • An arch support (orthosis) can help treat pain in the arch of the foot. Made of many types of materials, arch supports can be placed in a shoe after removing the insole (the removable inner sole) that comes with the shoe.
  • Custom arch supports may be necessary for chronic (long-term) and complicated problems, including severe flat foot, high arches, shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, and turf toe. Custom arch supports are specially designed inserts that concentrate relief on a particular area while supporting other areas.

Talk to your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon if you are experiencing foot or ankle problems. Working with your surgeon along with pedorthists and orthotists (specialists trained to make and modify shoe inserts) will ensure you get the right shoe for the best possible treatment.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Identifying and Treating Early Orthopedic Conditions in Children


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Nourishing Your Body for Optimal Orthopedic Surgery Recovery


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Common Hand Conditions or Injuries That May Require Surgery


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

 

3 Common Running Injuries and Prevention


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Emergency Orthopedic First Aid: How to Handle Traumatic Situations


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

 

8 Tips for Stronger Bones


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

 

A Guide to Managing Arthritis Pain Throughout the Body


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm