Fractures Specialist

What are fractures?

Fractures are traumatic injuries that affect the structure, shape, and integrity of a bone. They cause a bone to break into two or more pieces, limiting its function and range of motion. 

Some fractures are thinner than a piece of human hair and heal on their own with rest and medication. Others are severe and require repair with special tools and insertable instruments like pins, screws, and plates.  

What are the symptoms of fractures?

Common symptoms of fractures include:

• Severe pain
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Skin that’s warm or sensitive to touch
• Visible abnormalities like bumps or knots

If you experience a serious fracture, you might also have difficulty putting weight on or using the affected limb.

What causes fractures?

Fractures occur for various reasons. Sometimes they’re a result of a traumatic injury like a car accident or stepping down in an awkward position. 

Other times, they occur due to wear-and-tear or repetitive use, either from strenuous exercise or a physically demanding job. In rare instances, fractures occur due to an underlying health problem, like osteoporosis.

How are fractures diagnosed?

Dr. Weber is a fellowship-trained, board-certified trauma surgeon. He is highly qualified to diagnose and treat fractures of the feet and ankles. To diagnose a fracture, Dr. Weber physically examines your feet and ankles and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and if any activities make them worse.

Afterward, he has you perform a series of easy exercises, tests your range of motion, and orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound. Diagnostic imaging makes it easy for Dr. Weber to detect injuries to the bones that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

How are fractures treated?

Treatment of fractures depends on the location of the injury and the severity of your symptoms. Usually, Dr. Weber recommends immobilization with a cast or splint. Placing a broken bone into a cast or splint reduces the risk of further damage. It allows the pieces of the bone to grow together and heal.

If you have a severe fracture that breaks a bone into multiple pieces, surgical intervention might be necessary. During fracture repair surgery, Dr. Weber uses stainless-steel screws, plates, and fixators to hold your bone steady and encourage your body’s natural healing process.

To receive treatment for fractures, make an appointment at Birch Tree Foot and Ankle by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking tool today.