Treatment for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
Cast Immobilization for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment, because most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been repositioned and a cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal.
Functional Cast or Brace for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
The cast or brace allows limited or "controlled" movement of nearby joints. This treatment is desirable for some, but not all, fractures.
Traction for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
Traction is usually used to align a bone or bones by a gentle, steady pulling action.
External Fixation for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
In this type of operation, metal pins or screws are placed into the broken bone above and below the fracture site. The pins or screws are connected to a metal bar outside the skin. This device is a stabilizing frame that holds the bones in the proper position while they heal.
In cases where the skin and other soft tissues around the fracture are badly damaged, an external fixator may be applied until surgery can be tolerated.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for a Broken Bone Caused by a Car Accident
During this operation, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) in their normal alignment, and then held together with special screws or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone. The fragments may also be held together by inserting rods down through the marrow space in the center of the bone.
A specially designed metal rod, called an intramedullary nail, provides strong fixation for this thighbone fracture.
