{"id":10913,"date":"2019-08-25T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T14:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=10913"},"modified":"2021-04-26T17:54:58","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T17:54:58","slug":"15-common-causes-of-spiral-fracture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-causes-of-spiral-fracture\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Causes of Spiral Fracture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spiral fractures are most commonly caused by sports injuries; however, there are other situations where spiral or torsion (twisting) fractures can occur.  Because of the nature of the injury, spiral fractures splinter the bone and the result is extremely sharp edges and points that will most likely need to be remedied through surgical intervention. Spiral fractures resemble a spiral staircase where the fracture travels around the bone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-the-job incidents, motor vehicle accidents, falls in the home and physical violence can all be causes of spinal fractures. If a foot or hand is stationary or fixed in one position and an external force causes the shin or forearm to twist, a break in the bone will occur.  Prompt medical attention is the best course of action as these injuries are serious, painful and debilitating. Medical complications, including death, can occur if these injuries aren\u2019t treated by a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

1. Machinery <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All spiral fractures have the same element in common.\u00a0 That element is heavy force. Machinery at home, on the farm or in the workplace generates heavy force.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, so many people have been injured <\/a>by machinery that most industrial and farm equipment is now manufactured with warning labels and emergency shut-off buttons to minimize physical damage to the worker.\u00a0 Training and safe work procedures are put in place to keep employees from being injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sometimes those procedures fail and people get hurt.  Fingers and hands get trapped in a machine and that may cause subsequent fractures to the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an industrial setting, there are fewer accidents to the feet and ankles but they still remain a possibility.  Please use caution when operating any type of machinery. Be alert! Workplace accidents happen when you aren\u2019t paying attention to the powerful machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Physical violence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infants <\/a>and the elderly are at particular risk of spinal fractures due to physical abuse.\u00a0 While people do fall accidentally, if a fracture happens to a person who cannot walk, like an infant or a senior citizen confined to their bed, a spiral fracture is an indicator of physical violence.\u00a0 Emergency room physicians are well-aware of these signs and circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiral fractures are caused in these situations by jerking or forcefully twisting an arm or a leg.  Pre-school children and toddlers experience spiral fractures too; however, these are generally caused by falling on an arm or leg and not physical abuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spousal abuse and domestic violence victims suffer spiral fractures in fights where one partner forcefully grabs an arm or leg and purposely twists to cause pain.  This is not normal behavior. If you or someone you know is living in dangerous circumstances, seek help. Violence only escalates and could be fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Bicycle accident<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bicycles are a fun and healthy way to exercise until you wreck. Scenic trails and time alone with nature are beneficial to your mental health; however, spiral fractures due to bike accidents are not.\u00a0 Competitive cyclists<\/a>, mountain bikers and the novice bicyclist can all suffer broken bones when their feet get tangled in the pedals or they flip over the handlebars and twist their upper body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heavy force here is momentum.  You are traveling at a certain rate of speed, something impedes that forward progress and the cyclist falls, probably twisting something on the way to the impact with the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This scenario can be dangerous for the cyclist because oftentimes they are riding on a trail alone.  If you fall and suffer a spiral fracture, you could go into shock and die without first aid. Ride with a buddy or let someone know where you will be in case there is an accident in the woods or on the trail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Motorcycle vs. Car accident<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bicyclists can also collide with motor vehicles but it is more common for motorcycles to do so.  Motorcycle accidents can be much more serious than bike accidents simply because of the higher speeds and the heavier weights of the vehicles involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are riding a motorcycle, even if you wear a helmet, you are vulnerable to spiral fractures<\/a>.\u00a0 Even with daytime running lamps and other safety equipment, drivers in other cars simply might not see you.\u00a0 You are passing a car but you are in their blind spot. They pull into your lane and you swerve reflexively to avoid the collision.\u00a0 By doing so, you cause your bike to lose control and your arm or leg can get trapped under the bike and cause a torsion fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These types of accidents also occur in motocross or four-wheeler riding because your extremities are simply not protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, your home is a very dangerous place to be!  As that is where you spend most of your time, that is where most accidents happen.  As a matter of fact, trips and falls are the second-highest category of in-home injuries.  Spiral fractures are caused by trips and falls.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple places in your home where you can hurt yourself.\u00a0 You can fall down the steps, slip in the shower, or lose your balance <\/a>while on a ladder.\u00a0 The result of these accidents will most likely be a spiral fracture. People tend to grab at a banister, a towel bar or a rung on the ladder when they feel themselves falling and this action can cause a twisting motion.\u00a0 The force of that motion causes the fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be proactive and try to keep your stairs clear of objects and pets, use care on slippery surfaces and use caution while on a ladder so you don\u2019t end up in the ER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Soccer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer is a great sport for all ages, but it can be intensely physical.  Collisions between fast-moving players are a major cause of spinal fractures.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleats also play a role because if the athlete\u2019s foot gets stuck in the grass or turf while they are pivoting, they are at risk for a spiral fracture. Shin guards may help when you are forcefully kicked by an opposing player but if you fall and twist you could experience a broken leg.  Hopefully, you are part of a team that discourages misconduct between players but fouls happen without any malicious intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most soccer injuries involve the lower extremities.\u00a0 Upper body injuries are always a possibility but don\u2019t happen nearly as often as the fractures, the sprains<\/a>, strains, ACL tears and hamstring pulls.\u00a0 As always it is a good practice to have a coach, trainer or someone familiar with first aid to attend to any of the injured players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. American Football<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even with rules designed to limit contact and specially engineered safety equipment American touch football is a fast-paced and sometimes violent game.  Careers can end in a matter of seconds because of the debilitating and serious injuries.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spiral fracture can happen to any player at any point in the game.  Coaches, cameramen, and players on the sidelines are not immune to injury either as accidental collisions happen occasionally.  Tacklers will throw you to the ground in a twisting motion that may result in a spiral fracture. Unscrupulous players can even try to deliberately twist your leg or arm to injure you when you are all on the ground in a pile where they are shielded from the eyes of the officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like in soccer, cleats getting stuck in grass or on turf can easily cause an ankle <\/a>bone to break. Soccer injuries are primarily to the lower extremities; however, wide receivers and quarterbacks who use their hands and arms to catch and throw are in danger of suffering a spiral fracture in their wrists and shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Winter sports<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, and hockey are all winter sports that can lead to spinal fractures. If your feet are locked into rigid boots attached to sports equipment when you fall, your ankles and shin bones can twist and are at risk for breakage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrists and arms can also be injured while skiing or skating as falls are always possible.  Ski poles can stick in the ice and cause you to twist your upper body subjecting it to fracture.  Ice and snow are slippery so you can fall and hurt yourself without even participating in a sport. Collisions on the slopes or in the rink happen, especially during a hockey game.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While safety equipment is worn during hockey games, the game is played extremely fast. Injuries similar to those in soccer and football occur. Fortunately, hockey teams have trainers and slopes that have ski patrols that can administer first aid<\/a> if needed in the event of a serious fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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