A compound fracture is a fracture in which the injured bone sticks through the skin. Also known as an open fracture, a compound fracture can result from two types of causes.
- Traumatic: from a high force impact or stress
- Pathological: from a medical condition that weakens the bone
The traumatic type of fracture is often seen after a traffic accident.
Kalka & Baer has seen accident victims with this type of injury, commonly
occurring in the wrist or arm, with bicycle, motorcycle and car crashes.
The impact that the driver (or rider) takes on after colliding with another
vehicle is immense. It can jostle the body to be harmed. Cyclists and
motorcyclists are at a higher risk to experience this type of injury from
an accident. By the nature of the vehicle they ride, motorcyclists and
bike riders are much more in danger when involved in an accident.
If you were riding your motorcycle or bicycle or even driving your car
and involved in an accident where you suffered a compound fracture, please
contact Kalka & Baer today.
One of the hazardous things about open/compound fractures is where the
bone exposes the injury to open air, which might cause contamination and
lead to infection. Another reason why a compound fracture can be serious
is the angulations or displacement that the fracture can create. The larger
the displacement of the bone, the more treatment and recovery might be
required to heal the bone completely.
So, how is a compound fracture treated?
Usually surgery.
Compound fractures often require immediate surgery to treat the break in the bone as well as the break in the skin. Follow
up treatment would include antibiotic medications, doctor appointments,
and maybe even physical therapy.