{"id":10419,"date":"2019-08-21T06:15:39","date_gmt":"2019-08-21T06:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=10419"},"modified":"2021-04-26T13:13:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T13:13:28","slug":"16-known-symptoms-of-spiral-fracture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-known-symptoms-of-spiral-fracture\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Known Symptoms of Spiral Fracture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Common in a twisting type of injury, spiral fractures is one of seven different types of fractures.  As the name implies, the break spirals around the bone like a corkscrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It typically happens when the foot is planted and the leg twists awkwardly (for example, a sports injury or fall).  Bones most often affected are the shin and ankle bones, the thigh, the upper arm or the bones in the fingers or wrist. Sadly, this type of fracture is common in abused children experience when they are dragged and yanked by their arms and legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diagnosis of the fracture is confirmed through x-rays. Surgery may be necessary to align the bones properly or reattach bone fragments in the case of a displaced fracture.  In a stable fracture, the bone is barely out of place and the best treatment is to immobilize the bone(s) and let the fracture heal naturally.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the eight most common symptoms of spiral fractures that you should know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Shock  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your body experiences trauma like a fracture you can go into shock.  The medical term for shock is an acute stress disorder. One of the primary symptoms of a spiral fracture is your body\u2019s response to the incident.  For instance, if you are playing soccer and a teammate twists their leg and passes out, there is a good chance that a spiral fracture has just occurred. Losing consciousness is a sign of shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shock can be fatal if left untreated and first aid or medical help is absolutely necessary if you are pale, clammy, dizzy <\/a>or sick.\u00a0 Other symptoms of shock include low blood pressure, weak pulse and a rapid heartbeat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of treatment for shock is to get the blood circulating again.  This must be accomplished before the treatment of the fracture begins. Although it is best to try and immobilize the suspected broken bone temporarily to lessen the chance of additional damage to the affected area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain <\/a>is a warning sign to tell us that there is something wrong with our bodies.\u00a0 It is a totally natural response to a spiral fracture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a bone breaks several things happen simultaneously.  First, it begins to bleed (remember that bones contain marrow which is where blood originates).  When it bleeds the area around the fracture begins to swell and then the muscles will begin to spasm and the nerve endings are irritated.  Soft tissue damage can occur too. All these things lead to acute and intense pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Narcotics (like hydrocodone or oxycodone) or NSAIDs (like aspirin or Motrin) are given to help relieve the pain and reduce the swelling.  Ice, elevation of the affected area and compression can also help relieve the pain. After the limb is put in a cast the pain will continue until the break is fully healed.  Physical therapy is usually recommended after the cast is removed to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Bruising<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A contusion or bruise is a common and often immediate sign of a fracture.\u00a0 The injury causes capillaries to break and the blood is trapped under the skin resulting in severe black and blue bruising<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ice is the best, easiest and least inexpensive way to treat a bruise. The cold slows blood flow which means less blood leaking into the soft tissue around the injury.  Ice needs to be applied almost immediately to be most effective, but it does help up to 48 hours after the break. Bruises should fade within a few weeks when the blood gets reabsorbed into the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compression with an elastic bandage helps slow the blood so that discoloration is curtailed and the bruise heals faster. Elevation of the injury is also effective in reducing bruising and swelling.  After the initial application of ice, heat can be used to ease the pain and encourage blood flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Swelling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>or abnormal enlargement of the injured area is your body\u2019s response to an injury.\u00a0 As soon as a break happens, your body sends fluid and white blood cells to the area affected to protect and to heal.\u00a0 Swelling impedes movement. Can\u2019t put weight on your ankle? Your body is trying to stop you from using it so you can\u2019t damage it any further.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resting the break is an important part of the healing process. If possible, elevate the affected body part.  Apply ice to ease the pain and reduce the swelling. Elastic bandages compress the injury and help with stability, but it\u2019s vital to avoid putting weight on the break until the swelling subsides enough to be cast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiral fractures can occur anywhere in the body at any time away or at home.  It\u2019s a good idea to keep first aid kits with an ice pack at home and in the car so that ice and compression can be started as soon as possible after an injury.
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5. Restricted range of motion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bone stiffness<\/a>, tender to the touch and the inability to put weight on a bone or joint is another indicator of a spiral or torsion fracture. You may slip or fall and then something doesn\u2019t feel quite \u201cright.\u201d It is entirely possible to break a bone and not realize it. However, if the pain gets worse and swelling intensifies it might be broken.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 If the area feels worse instead of better after a few hours or overnight, seek a diagnosis to make sure a break doesn\u2019t go untreated. This is especially true for small children and the elderly.  They may seriously injure themselves and not realize it. If you are a caregiver, it is important to keep this in mind as the very young and very old may not be able to tell you about the pain they are experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s better to seek professional advice and not need it than to ignore a problem and risk complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Loss of control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More serious and debilitating than just loss of motion, you may temporarily lose control of your foot or hand if you break the bones in your ankle or wrist. The skeleton is an interwoven structure.  Its movement depends on the adjoining bones to be whole and in working order. If even one small bone is broken, the ability to control that extremity is lost.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fluid will rush to the break and cause swelling <\/a>and that will cause the tissue to press on the surrounding nerve endings.\u00a0 In turn, that may make the hand or foot feel numb and tingly. In fact, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a break and a sprain.\u00a0 In an ankle or wrist numb and tingly usually indicates a break. If it\u2019s only painful it is probably just a sprain.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to assume it\u2019s just a sprain because if a break is left untreated, it will begin to heal on its own and may be misaligned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Angulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes with a spiral fracture, it is immediately evident that a break has occurred because the bone is at a \u201cweird\u201d angle or protruding from the skin in what is called an \u201copen\u201d (compound) fracture. Even an untrained eye can see the deformity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this is the case, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment.\u00a0 Any movement can cause further damage and additional pain. Any open wound means that there is a chance of infection <\/a>and blood loss. Severe fractures like this will usually need surgery to \u201creduce\u201d the fracture, align the bones, and close the skin so healing may begin. These wounds are susceptible to infection so antibiotics are prescribed and signs of fever are closely monitored.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardware like wires, plates, nails, screws, plates, and rods may be used to help join the bones and bone fragments back together.  In some cases, these items are removed after healing but most remain in your body permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Sound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes people who experience a spiral fracture immediately realize what happened simply because they heard the bone snap. Others might hear or feel a \u201cgrating\u201d sensation when they try to move the bone<\/a>. In either case, this symptom is very helpful.\u00a0 The injured party knows what happened and how it happened. This information is important to the doctor and treatment can begin immediately so that healing is expedited.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are many diagnostic tools and machines in medicine, often the best tools we have are our eyes and ears. Gather all the information that you can about an injury.  Tell the doctor about the sights, sounds, and sensations. A complete description of the incident, if possible, will help the doctor form a treatment plan.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First aid and immediate medical attention is the wisest course to follow in the event of a spiral fracture. If you break a bone, have patience and follow instructions to enjoy the best possible outcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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