Fracture Care
A bone fracture can happen suddenly after a fall, sports injury, motor vehicle accident, or other trauma, and prompt orthopaedic evaluation can help determine the appropriate treatment. Fracture care in Colorado Springs may include diagnosis, fracture alignment and stabilization, casting or bracing, and surgical treatment when necessary. The goal is to support proper healing while helping restore the affected bone and limb to safe, functional use.
Michael Van Manen, DO provides orthopaedic fracture care for patients with a range of injuries. As a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Van Manen's practice includes fracture care, general orthopaedics, arthritis disease management, hip and knee replacement, and revision surgery. Treatment is individualized according to the location and severity of the fracture, whether the bone is displaced or unstable, the condition of the surrounding soft tissues, and the patient's overall health and activity needs.
Bone Fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which a bone is cracked or broken. It is a break in the continuity of the bone. While many fractures are the result of high-force impact or stress, bone fractures can also occur because of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis.
A fracture may be complete or partial and is commonly caused by trauma due to a fall, motor vehicle accident or sports injury. Thinning of the bone due to osteoporosis in the elderly can also cause bones to break easily. Overuse injuries are a common cause of stress fractures in athletes.
Types of fractures
Simple fracture: The fractured pieces of bone are well aligned and stable
Unstable fracture- the fragments of the broken bone are misaligned and displaced
Open (compound) fracture: A severe fracture in which the broken bones protrude through the skin. This type of fracture is more prone to infection and requires immediate medical attention.
Greenstick fracture: A fracture unique to children, where one side of the bone is broken while the other is bent
Fracture Healing
Our body reacts to a fracture by protecting the injured area with a blood clot and callus or fibrous tissue. Bone cells begin forming on either side of the fracture line. These cells grow towards each other and eventually close the fracture.
Medical Therapy
The objective of early fracture management is to control bleeding, prevent ischemic injury (bone death) and to remove sources of infection such as foreign bodies and dead tissues. The next step is the reduction of the fracture and its maintenance. It is important to ensure that the involved part of the body returns to its function after the fracture heals. To achieve this, fracture reduction and immobilization are achieved by either a non-operative or surgical method.
Non-operative (closed) therapy uses casting and traction (skin and skeletal traction).
Casting
This is done for any fracture that is displaced, shortened, or angulated. Splints and casts are made of fiberglass or Plaster of Paris (POP) and are used to immobilize the limb.
Traction
This method is used for fractures and dislocations that cannot be treated by casting. There are two methods of traction: skin traction and skeletal traction.
Skin traction involves attachment of traction tapes to the skin of the limb segment below the fracture. In skeletal traction, a pin is inserted through the bone and attached to ropes. Weights are applied, and the patient is placed in a traction apparatus. This method is commonly used for fractures of long bones.
Surgical Therapy
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)
This is a surgical procedure in which the fracture site is exposed while a reduction of the fracture is done. Internal fixation is done with wires, plates, screws, and nails.
External fixation
This is a procedure in which the fracture stabilization is done outside the body using rods screwed into the bone above and below the fracture that exit the body and are attached to a stabilizer device that may be adjusted. It helps to maintain bone length and alignment without casting.
External fixation is performed in the following conditions:
- Open fractures with soft-tissue involvement
- Burns and soft tissue injuries
- Pelvic fractures
- Comminuted (shattered) and unstable fractures
- Fractures having bony deficits
- Limb-lengthening procedures
- Fractures with infection or non-union (fails to heal)
Rehabilitation
Fractures may take several weeks to months to heal completely. You should limit your activities even after the removal of the cast or brace so the bone becomes solid enough to bear stress. Rehabilitation programs involve exercises and a gradual increase in activity levels until the process of healing is complete.
Why Choose Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO for Fracture Care in Colorado Springs?
Choosing the right treatment for a fracture depends on the type of injury, its location, the degree of displacement or instability, and the patient's overall health. Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon whose practice includes fracture care and general orthopaedics.
Patients seeking fracture care in Colorado Springs can benefit from an individualized evaluation focused on:
- Identifying the location, type, and severity of the fracture
- Assessing bone alignment and stability
- Determining whether nonsurgical or surgical treatment is appropriate
- Using immobilization, casting, bracing, or other treatment when appropriate
- Considering fracture fixation when an injury requires surgical stabilization
- Addressing associated soft-tissue concerns when present
- Planning follow-up care and rehabilitation to support recovery
- Evaluating healing and progression before returning to normal activities
Treatment recommendations vary from patient to patient. A detailed orthopaedic assessment can help determine the safest and most appropriate approach for the specific fracture.
Fracture Care FAQs
What is a bone fracture?
A bone fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. Fractures can result from trauma, falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, repetitive stress, or weakened bones.
What are the common types of fractures?
Fractures can be described in several ways based on their appearance and stability. They may be nondisplaced or displaced, open or closed, complete or incomplete, or comminuted when the bone breaks into multiple pieces. Stress fractures can develop from repetitive loading, while certain incomplete fractures are more common in children.
What are common symptoms of a fracture?
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty moving the affected area, and difficulty putting weight on or using the injured limb. Some fractures can also cause visible deformity.
Do all fractures require surgery?
No. Some fractures can heal with nonsurgical treatment such as splinting, casting, bracing, or activity restriction. Surgery may be considered when a fracture is significantly displaced, unstable, open, involves a joint, or is unlikely to heal properly with nonsurgical treatment.
What is closed fracture treatment?
Closed or nonsurgical fracture treatment may involve a splint, cast, brace, or other method of immobilization to maintain appropriate alignment while the bone heals. The specific approach depends on the fracture and its stability.
What is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)?
ORIF is a surgical procedure used to realign and stabilize certain fractures. After the bone fragments are positioned appropriately, fixation devices such as plates, screws, wires, or intramedullary nails may be used to maintain alignment during healing.
When is external fixation used?
External fixation may be considered for selected complex fractures, particularly when there is significant soft-tissue injury, an open fracture, severe instability, bone loss, infection, or other circumstances that make internal fixation less suitable at that time.
How long does a fracture take to heal?
Healing time varies depending on the bone involved, fracture pattern, severity of the injury, age, general health, and other factors. Some fractures heal over several weeks, while more complex injuries may require several months.
Will I need physical therapy after a fracture?
Physical therapy may be recommended depending on the fracture and treatment. Rehabilitation can help restore mobility, strength, balance, and function as healing progresses. Your activity level should be increased gradually according to your orthopaedic team's recommendations.
Can I return to sports or normal activities immediately after my cast is removed?
Not necessarily. Removal of a cast or brace does not always mean the bone and surrounding tissues are ready for unrestricted activity. A gradual return to activities may be recommended based on healing, strength, mobility, and the type of injury.
What happens if a fracture does not heal properly?
Some fractures can heal slowly or fail to heal completely. Abnormal alignment, known as malunion, can also occur. Depending on the circumstances, additional treatment may be needed to address persistent symptoms or problems with bone healing.
When should I seek urgent care for a possible fracture?
Seek prompt medical attention for severe pain, significant deformity, inability to use an injured limb, or suspected fracture after major trauma. An open fracture, in which bone or the fracture wound communicates with the outside environment, requires urgent medical evaluation because of the risk of infection and other complications.
When should I see an orthopaedic surgeon for fracture care in Colorado Springs?
An orthopaedic evaluation may be appropriate when a fracture is suspected, particularly if there is significant pain, swelling, deformity, difficulty bearing weight, or concern that the injury may be unstable. Complex fractures may require specialized assessment to determine whether surgical treatment is appropriate.
Schedule Fracture Care in Colorado Springs
If you have experienced an injury and are concerned about a broken bone, timely evaluation can help determine the extent of the injury and appropriate next steps. Dr. Michael Van Manen, DO provides orthopaedic fracture care in Colorado Springs, including evaluation and treatment planning for injuries that may require nonsurgical or surgical management.
Contact the Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group to schedule an appointment and discuss your fracture, symptoms, and treatment options with an orthopaedic specialist.
Schedule an Appointment
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