{"id":9876,"date":"2019-09-04T08:41:38","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T08:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9876"},"modified":"2021-06-22T17:28:01","modified_gmt":"2021-06-22T17:28:01","slug":"14-known-symptoms-of-comminuted-fracture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-known-symptoms-of-comminuted-fracture\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Known Symptoms of Comminuted Fracture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A fracture is what many of us will colloquially refer to as a broken bone. This describes what happens when a bone in the body \u2013 often a long bone such as the femur or humerus \u2013 either cracks, or snaps entirely into two pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What many people don\u2019t realize, however, is that there are many different types of fractures, each classified by the type of break, by the cause, and by the severity. In this post, we\u2019ll be looking at a particularly severe form of break known as a comminuted fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A comminuted fracture is a particularly painful fracture that is caused when the bone is broken in more than one place \u2013 or more specifically when it is broken into more than one piece. This might mean that a long bone such as a femur is broken in two places, creating three individual pieces of bone and completely severing the connection to the torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time though, a comminuted fracture can also describe breaks that result in shards as the bone is crushed and splinters apart for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a serious type of break with a number of consequences, complications, and symptoms. In this post, we\u2019ll explore some of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Loss of Mobility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most notable and immediately apparent symptoms of a comminuted fracture is the loss of mobility<\/a>. That is to say that you may no longer be able to move the affected limb or even the surrounding area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many potential causes for this. Firstly, the limb may be very swollen, and this can then limit movement. At the same time, the bone might have broken where the muscle would normally attach. This then removes the hinge mechanism that we normally use to move the limb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severe pain can also prevent movement, and in some cases, the muscle or the tendon might have also become damaged or severed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to rest the area and not to try to move it more than completely necessary. Moving a broken limb is only likely to cause further injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where mobility is not lost entirely, the individual will still likely notice a significant loss of strength in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Tingling <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What you might find more alarming is that you may notice the limb or the body part starts to \u201ctingle.\u201d It might also feel number to touch, or even cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these things are likely the result of nerve damage. When your bones break, they become sharp and begin to move more freely inside your other tissue. This can cause nerves <\/a>to tear or to become tangled. That, in turn, can then prevent the brain from sending and receiving signals to the area, which in turn results in loss of movement and sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, this can lead to permanent damage. In most scenarios, however, this damage will be more a case of irritation and aggravation \u2013 and you should be able to regain normal use and sensation with practice and rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Blood Loss <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blood <\/a>loss is not a common symptom associated with comminuted fracture, but might well occur if this fracture is also a compound fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compound fractures are fractures where the bone breaks and then forces itself through the skin. Not all comminuted fractures are compound fractures, but some are \u2013 and with more pieces of bone the likelihood of some pushing through the skin will actually have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood loss can prove to be a serious complication, so it\u2019s important that you get this looked at as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where blood loss isn\u2019t directly an issue the blood will still likely be escaping internally and this can lead to a lot of very serious bruising that might also appear alarming at first sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Swelling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>occurs as the body rushes fluids to the affected area. Swelling can be concerning and in some cases painful, however, this is not actually a bad thing in itself, but is rather a positive adaptation to any injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you injure yourself, swelling occurs in order to direct blood and nutrients to the injury site and thereby to help the body repair the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, swelling will send antibodies to the area to try and combat bacteria that have entered an open wound. This can then help to prevent infection and it will also help the body to more quickly and effectively repair the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swelling can be painful however and might apply dangerous pressure to a weakened part of the body. You can manage to swell by using elevation, ice, and compression. Follow your doctor\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will of course experience a large amount of pain in most cases. This is due to the fact that you have caused multiple breaks which will not only have aggravated pain receptors in the bones themselves, but also in the surrounding nerve and tissues. Swelling can further contribute to this pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain is extremely unpleasant but is there to tell us to rest and look after an injury<\/a>. It can be managed in many cases with the use of painkillers and your doctor should be able to advise on those that are safe and effective for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that if you are experiencing extreme shock, you may actually not notice the pain at first. If you have had a serious fall, it\u2019s always a good idea to check your body over before resuming normal activity or bearing weight on the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Deformity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The deformity occurs where the bones have been broken and moved so that they protrude through the skin even without necessarily breaking it. At the same time, they might bend and contort in different ways. A flat bone such as a sternum or a cheekbone can likewise appear concave or might have shards poking out at unusual angles. Swelling can further alter the shape of your body and make it look different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of a compound fracture, you might also notice scarring and blood loss, while severe bruising <\/a>or infection can cause discoloration and further swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these things can be frightening for the patient, but rest assured that in most cases bones can be reset, and scarring will fade. Often it is better not to examine yourself too closely if you have been badly injured, as it can lead to shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Loud Crack Sound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another tell-tale sign that you may have experienced a fracture is an audible cracking sound. Bone<\/a> is very thick and strong, and when enough pressure and impact is placed on it to cause a break, this can result in a very audible sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be able to identify from the sound what type of fracture you have experienced. A hairline fracture might be a much quieter sound for instance, whereas multiple loud cracks could point to the possibility of a comminuted fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, a cracking sound can actually have a very large psychological impact increasing the panic response in the individual and perhaps causing fainting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Shock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most overlooked symptoms of a serious fracture such as a comminuted fracture is the shock. When we badly hurt ourselves, our bodies will enter a state of shock, which is intended to help improve our chances of survival. However, this state can pose serious risks itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As blood is sent to the damaged area, this can leave you feeling light-headed and even nauseous. Meanwhile, your heart rate will increase and pressure will increase around the wound in order to further direct blood and antibodies that way. You will find this triggers a sympathetic response, also known as \u201cfight or flight,\u201d as your body increases heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms of anxiety<\/a>. Huge amounts of adrenaline and cortisol will be produced which might make you shake and feel unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is common to hyperventilate at this time, resulting in further light-headedness and potential fainting. If you notice someone suffering from shock, try to gently lay them down. Keeping the head level or below the heart will reduce the likelihood of fainting, while being low to the ground means they won\u2019t fall and hurt themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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