Understanding Fracture Care
A fracture is a break in a bone that can range from a hairline stress crack to a complex multi-fragment injury. Fractures can occur in any bone and result from falls, sports injuries, or accidents. At Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our fellowship-trained fracture care specialists serve patients across Maryland and the DC Metro Area, offering the full spectrum of care from casting and splinting to complex surgical reconstruction.
Common Symptoms, Conditions & Treatment Options for Fractures
Symptoms
- Intense pain at the injury site that worsens with movement
- Visible swelling, bruising, or deformity
- Inability to bear weight or use the injured limb
- A snapping or cracking sound at the time of injury
- Tenderness to the touch near the injury site
- Numbness or tingling below the fracture site
Conditions
- Stress fractures
- Closed (non-displaced) fractures
- Displaced fractures
- Open (compound) fractures
- Periarticular fractures (near joints)
- Periprosthetic fractures (near implants)
- Comminuted fractures (multiple fragments)
Treatment Options
- Casting and splinting
- Closed reduction (non-surgical realignment)
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
- External fixation
- Intramedullary nailing
- Periarticular fracture reconstruction
When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or a rapid or irregular heart rate
- Signs of pulmonary embolism (PE): sudden severe shortness of breath or coughing up blood
- Signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT): significant calf pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in one leg
- Fever above 101.5°F accompanied by wound redness, warmth, or drainage
- Signs of severe infection: increasing swelling, foul-smelling discharge, or red streaking from the wound
Frequently Asked Questions
Seek fracture care if you have intense pain at the injury site that worsens with movement, visible deformity or swelling, or inability to bear weight on or use the injured limb. Go to the emergency room immediately if there is an open wound over the fracture, you cannot feel the limb below the injury, or there is severe uncontrolled bleeding.
Signs of a fracture include intense pain at the injury site, swelling, bruising, deformity, inability to bear weight, and pain that worsens with movement. An X-ray is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Some fractures — like stress fractures — may not be visible on standard X-rays and require an MRI for definitive diagnosis.
No. Many fractures heal with immobilization in a cast, splint, or boot. Surgery is recommended for fractures that are displaced, unstable, involve a joint surface, or when the bone cannot be properly aligned without surgical fixation. Our surgeons take a conservative approach whenever safe healing can be achieved without an operation.
An open fracture occurs when the broken bone pierces through the skin, creating a wound. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical treatment to clean the wound, realign the bone, and prevent infection. Open fractures carry a higher risk of complications and require specialized surgical care.
- Simple Fracture (cast/splint): Healing in 6 to 8 weeks.
- Surgical Fixation: Return to activity at 8 to 12 weeks; full recovery 3 to 6 months.
- Stress Fracture: Rest and gradual return to activity over 6 to 8 weeks.
- Complex Periarticular Fracture: Extended rehabilitation; full recovery 4 to 6 months.