Broken Bones and Fractures Treatment Q and A

Broken bones or fractures can often be scary, especially when it comes to our children. That is why at AFC Urgent Care in Memphis we offer fast treatment so you can get on the mend sooner. Call our office for more information or visit our clinic conveniently located at 5475 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Serving patients from Memphis, TN. Binghampton, Memphis, TN. Bartlett, TN. Frayser, Memphis, TN. Woodstock, TN.

A broken bone can happen to anyone, so it is important to know what to do when they occur. Broken bones or fractures cannot be treated at home and require professional medical attention as soon as possible to prevent further injury. If delayed for too long, a broken bone can mend improperly and will need to be re-broken in order to realign it.

Can Urgent Care treat a broken bone?

Unfortunately, a fractured bone can happen during the course of a child's normal day to day activities, and most often occur on the weekend or during the evening when your family doctor might not be available.

It is important to seek medical treatment for your broken bone or fracture right away to ease distress and promote better healing. After you have applied first aid, make your way to the urgent care clinic where an x-ray can be done to determine the extent of the injury. This way, the appropriate treatment can be applied right away without any delays.

What is the best treatment for broken bones?

Treatment of a fracture should focus on giving the bone optimum conditions to heal itself because bone healing is a natural process. Some effective bone fracture therapies include:

Fracture Management - Including immobilization by using a splint or cast, closed reduction which is a bone alignment through manipulation or traction, and rehabilitation or physical therapy.

Physical Therapy - To regain strength, range of motion and normal function in the affected area.

Ultrasound-guided Injections - These injections can be accurately applied to joints or soft tissues in the body.

Bone fractures can happen in an instant, but through proper care, the board-certified physicians at AFC Urgent Care can help you heal quickly. With the best preventative care, you can also learn how to safely begin a new exercise Routine or sport. And should you sustain an injury, we are here to treat you right away.

What should you do when treating a fracture?

Stop the Bleeding - If there is an open fracture, the piercing wound made by the jagged edge of the bone will likely be bleeding. Apply a bandage to both sides of the break, then wrap the wound with sterile gauze. Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops. Open fractures are not only dangerous because of the bleeding, but also because of the potential risk of infection. For this reason, it is important to take the injured to the hospital immediately so the wound can be cleaned and antibiotics can be administered.

Immobilize the Bone - After a break, any additional movement can make the injury worse. If you know how to apply a splint, then put a splint on the limb. If you do not know, then try to immobilize the limb by holding it with both hands - one below the break and one above it. Again, it is vital that the injured person receives emergency medical treatment immediately.

Ice and Elevation - Swelling will begin almost immediately after a break has occurred, but there are things you can do to minimize it. First, apply an ice pack to the injury. Be sure to place a towel between the pack and the skin to protect the skin from irritation and further injury. Next, make sure that the limb is elevated above the heart. Both of these actions will help prevent unnecessary swelling, which will result in less pain and fewer complications.

Nothing by Mouth - There is always the chance that surgery will be needed to set the broken bone. This is especially true with open fractures. It is important to have the injured person abstain from food or drink because of the potential need for anesthesia in the near future.

The most common symptoms associated with a fracture are bruising, swelling and pain. There may also be a loss of function. However, because fractures are not always immediately evident from an external view, when one is suspected, it is important to be evaluated as soon as possible by a medical professional.

If you or someone you know has broken a bone or suspect they might have, come to AFC Urgent Care today! Our professional and caring staff can help you determine the extent of your fracture and provide you with expert care right away. To speak with one of our specialists, contact our office today. Visit us online or simply call us to book an appointment.