Cracked bone

Not always with trauma the bone breaks completely: it is possible to have partial damage, which is diagnosed as a crack in the bone. It is almost impossible to independently determine such a violation, since even instrumental studies cannot always do this. A traumatologist deals with the solution of this issue. [ 1 ]

Epidemiology

Every year the number of patients seeking medical help for bone injuries increases. Such injuries are the third most common pathologies.

Men are injured approximately twice as often as women: bone fractures are especially common in working age, while fractures are more common in older people.

Even with a partial fracture, approximately 5% of victims require hospital treatment. [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Causes bone fractures

The appearance of a bone crack is usually preceded by the following reasons:

• a strong blow with or against something;
• falling, jumping from a height (sometimes even from a small height, but onto an uncomfortable surface);
• compression of a bone element (pressing by various structures, debris, building materials, etc.);
• excessive forced movement of a limb (for example, forced rotation of an arm or leg, excessive motor amplitude, etc.).

In general, bone cracks can be divided into two categories:

• damage resulting from mechanical impacts (after a fall, impact, etc.);
• damage that occurs as a result of the weakness and fragility of the bone tissue itself (this is typical for some pathologies – for example, osteoporosis). [ 5 ]

Risk factors

Most often, bone cracks are found in men of working age. However, women during the period of decreased estrogen activity are also susceptible to various problems with the bone apparatus - first of all, this is associated with the development of osteoporosis and tissue softening processes.

All elderly and senile people are also at risk. It has been proven that after reaching the age of fifty, the body begins to gradually lose bone mass - by about 1% every two years. As a result, the risk of bone fractures and cracks increases with age.

Who else is at increased risk?

• People who are overweight, which significantly increases the load on the skeletal system.
• Those who adhere to strict diets, eat an unbalanced and poor diet (deficiency of nutrients and calcium leads to loss and softening of bone tissue).
• People with a hereditary predisposition to fractures.
• Patients with bad habits – in particular, those who abuse alcohol and smoke. These factors lead to a gradual decrease in bone density, which increases the risk of damage.
• Patients with metabolic disorders, with endocrine system pathologies (in this case, the disruption of bone tissue structure can be caused by hormonal imbalances, high blood sugar levels, impaired absorption of calcium and vitamin D).
• People taking certain medications for a long time, including antiestrogens, diuretics, heparin and aluminum preparations.

In addition, problems are often diagnosed in patients who paid little attention to physical activity and abused strong coffee drinks. [ 6 ]

Pathogenesis

A crack in the bone appears as a result of excessive load. The composition of bone tissue is always different, which depends on age, individual characteristics of the person, and other factors.

The inorganic components of bone are mostly represented by calcium salts – submicroscopic crystals of hydroxyapatite.

The organic component of bone is called ossein. It is a protein substance structurally similar to collagen and forms the base of the bone element. Ossein is present in osteocytes, the cells of bone tissue.

The combination of organic and inorganic fibers provides the main properties - strength and elasticity. If any of the components is damaged - for example, there is a deficiency of organic components - the structure becomes excessively fragile and prone to damage.

Mechanical damage and trauma become the main factors in the formation of a crack in the bone. [ 7 ]

Symptoms bone fractures

The clinical picture of a bone fracture may differ significantly among different patients. This depends on both the degree of damage and the individual characteristics of the victim, such as the pain threshold. Some people immediately feel all the symptoms and immediately consult a doctor. But sometimes it happens that a person tolerates pain, mistaking it for ordinary arthrosis, and only comes to the doctor after several weeks of unsuccessful self-treatment.

In general, the first signs that a problem has appeared in the bone can be listed as follows:

• Pain - at first it is strong and sharp, and later turns into a dull ache that intensifies with physical exertion.
• Edema, swelling – usually appears and increases immediately after injury.
• Hematoma – appears if a crack in the bone appears as a result of a severe bruise, which causes damage to the capillary network.
• Deterioration of the function of the injured limb.

Not all patients have all of the above symptoms at the same time: only one or two symptoms may be detected. This is why additional diagnostics, such as X-rays, are necessary to diagnose a bone crack. [ 8 ]

• Does a bone crack hurt?

Of course, as with any fracture and tissue integrity violation, pain occurs with a bone crack. At the moment of injury and for some time after that, the pain is very pronounced. Gradually, its intensity changes, the pain becomes dull, aching. Resumption of acute pain syndrome is possible against the background of increased load on the damaged bone.

• Does a bone crack when it breaks?

The sensation of crunching at the moment of bone damage is not the most characteristic symptom. That is, the absence of such a sensation does not exclude or confirm the presence of a crack. If the damage is strong, deep, although not complete, then crunching is possible. However, many patients with diagnosed bone cracks do not indicate the presence of such a sign.

• Temperature during bone fracture

A local increase in temperature in the area of damage is normal after an injury such as a bone fracture. As for a general increase in temperature, this can sometimes indicate the development of complications.

In some cases, temperature readings not exceeding 38°C may be recorded for a couple of days after the injury. It is believed that this may be the body's reaction to the injury. If the readings rise higher or persist for more than three days in a row, this is a reason to suspect the development of an inflammatory process. In such a situation, you should consult a doctor for additional diagnostic measures.

Stages

Medical specialists distinguish several regenerative stages of a bone crack:

1. Catabolism stage: damaged bone tissue dies, cellular decay processes begin, and hematomas form.
2. Cell differentiation stage: primary bone fusion begins, which, with sufficient blood supply, occurs through primary osteogenesis. The duration of this stage is up to two weeks.
3. Stage of primary osteon formation: a bone callus forms on the damaged area.
4. Stage of callus spongiolization: bone plastic cover appears, the cortical component is formed, the damaged structure is restored. This stage can last from a couple of months to 2-3 years.

Normal healing of a bone crack depends on how correctly and consistently the above stages proceed. [ 9 ]

Forms

Bone cracks can be traumatic (due to force) and pathological (as a result of pathological destructive processes in bone tissue).

In addition, cracks are distinguished depending on the type of bone.

• A fracture of the arm bone is a term that may imply damage to the shoulder element, forearm, elbow joint, as well as injuries to the hand and fingers of the upper limb. Most often, people seek help from a traumatologist regarding damage to the metacarpal or radial bones. The most common cause of fractures of the arm bone is a fall on an outstretched hand.
• A fracture in the bone of the leg may include damage to the femur, shin, foot (tarsus, metatarsal bones, toe phalanges). Damage may occur due to an unsuccessful landing, fall, pinching of the leg, etc.
• A pelvic bone fracture is an injury affecting the pubic, iliac or sciatic elements. Patients are injured mainly by falls, sudden compression during a car accident, etc. The force impact that causes the disorder can be lateral, anteroposterior. Often the injury is accompanied by damage to the nerve roots and trunks of the lumbar plexus, which is manifested by various neurological disorders.
• A fracture of the ischial bone is a common injury when a person falls on the buttocks (this can happen on a slippery road or during active sports, such as football). Such an injury takes a long time to heal - at least a month, provided that bed rest is observed.
• A fracture of the iliac bone is one of the most "inconvenient" injuries, which is quite difficult to detect. Therefore, this injury often refers to the so-called "hidden" variants: it can occur due to a direct blow or compression of the pelvic ring. To heal the injury, strict bed rest is required for 4 weeks.
• A pubic bone crack can form due to compression of the pelvic elements, or after a strong blow to this area. Damage to the pelvic ring requires careful diagnostics to exclude combined disorders of the urinary and reproductive systems.
• A fracture of the tibia may include partial damage to the neck and head of the fibula, tuberosity and condyles of the tibia, ankles, etc. Such injuries occur mainly after falling from a height, with a direct or indirect impact.
• A fracture of the tibia is the most common injury of the lower extremities. The fibula and tibia are damaged approximately equally often. The cause of such an injury may be a strong blow or a fall.
• A femur fracture may include a diaphyseal lesion, a lesion of the upper or lower end of the femur. The injury may be caused by a direct, targeted blow, a fall. Such disorders are especially common in older people.
• A tibia fracture is a damage to a long tubular element located in the area between the knee and the foot. Such injuries are extremely common and occur when falling and repeatedly loading the bone area. The tibia plays a basic role in the biomechanics of body movement, so its recovery requires a lot of time - at least a month.
• A fibula fracture is often detected simultaneously with damage to the tibial element: they are located in close proximity to each other. The most common causes of such an injury are falls, traffic accidents, and direct blows to the legs.
• A fracture of the skull bones is usually the result of blows to the head, falls. Often such an injury is accompanied by damage to the brain and meninges. Because of this, the injury is classified as a condition that is dangerous to the patient's life. Different bone elements of the skull may be affected. For example, a fracture of the frontal bone is often depressed and combined with damage to the paranasal sinuses, as well as the eye socket area. A fracture of the temporal bone may be accompanied by a disorder of the facial nerve, destruction of the auditory ossicles. A rarer injury is damage to the pyramid of the temporal bone, which may be combined with a disorder in the cochlea and labyrinth. A fracture of the parietal bone occurs more often in childhood: the paired bone of the cranial brain region is injured. The parietal bone is connected to the occipital, frontal, temporal and sphenoid bones, so the possibility of combined injury is not excluded.
• A facial bone fracture may include damage to the bone structures of the nose, eye sockets, zygomatic bone, upper and lower jaw. A zygomatic bone fracture is an injury to the facial bone structures. The injuries are caused by hard blows, sports or transport head injuries. The problem requires long-term treatment, with a limitation on full opening of the mouth for two weeks. A nasal bone fracture ranks first among injuries to facial structures: such an injury often occurs during fights, boxing, wrestling, oriental martial arts. Quite often, with a nasal bone fracture, patients do not seek medical help, mistaking it for a severe bruise.

Complications and consequences

A common bone fracture can be easily cured if the patient diagnoses the problem in time and follows all the doctor's recommendations. As a rule, in most cases the injury heals well, and complications practically do not arise.

If a person ignores the doctor’s advice – for example, continues to put weight on the injured limb, or does not undergo the prescribed treatment – then the crack in the bone can increase, and the fracture turns from partial to full-fledged.

If the disorder has formed along with a soft tissue hematoma, it may become infected and suppurate: phlegmon develops, which, in the absence of further necessary therapy, may develop into a gangrenous process.

In general, complications after a bone fracture are considered to be rare. Only in some cases do they develop in elderly patients, against the background of other chronic diseases – for example, diabetes, obesity, etc. [ 10 ]

How do bone cracks heal?

Bone fractures can heal in different ways. The length of the process depends on how complex the injury was, as well as the age and general health of the patient. It is extremely important that the victim follows all the recommendations given to him by the doctor.

It is essential to pay attention to physiotherapy procedures: such treatment can be started 2-3 days after the injury.

The damaged bone element should be loaded as gradually as possible. In no case should you remove the plaster cast on your own or engage in physical activity ahead of time.

To stimulate healing, you need to follow the principles of proper nutrition. It is recommended to include in the diet foods with a high content of natural chondroprotectors: these include gelatin, aspic, fatty fish. In addition, we must not forget about the full intake of calcium in the body, including with dairy products, nuts. [ 11 ]

How long does it take for a bone crack to heal?

It usually takes at least a month (on average 2-3 months) for a partial bone fracture to heal completely. This period may vary depending on the size of the injury, the state of the immune system and the general health of the victim, and the quality of the treatment. To speed up healing, it is recommended to take calcium supplements, as well as not to drink alcohol or smoke during the entire healing period. [ 12 ]

Diagnostics bone fractures

How to identify a bone crack? It is impossible to do this on your own: you must seek help from a doctor. A medical specialist will give an initial visual assessment and palpate the damaged area.

In order to distinguish a crack from a fracture, an X-ray will be prescribed - this method is used without fail. The X-ray image will directly examine the crack in the bone. In addition, it is possible to assess its size, as well as see other damage accompanying this injury.

If the X-ray does not provide all the necessary information about the bone fracture, the patient may be referred for an MRI procedure.

In general, the entire spectrum of diagnostic procedures usually looks like this:

• Blood and urine tests (to assess the general condition of the body, its functional capacity, and to exclude inflammatory processes). In the event of purulent complications, an analysis of the fluid taken during the puncture (abscess, bone, infiltrate) can be performed, as well as a study of tissues removed by biopsy.
• Instrumental diagnostics (the main method is radiography, the auxiliary method is magnetic resonance imaging).

Radiography is used to establish a diagnosis, as well as during treatment to assess the dynamics of bone fracture healing. The image is taken in at least two projections. Some patients may be recommended to take additional images in an oblique or other projection and position. [ 13 ]

Differential diagnostics are most often performed between partial and complete fractures. It is also necessary to exclude the possibility of bone inflammatory processes, nerve fibers and nearby soft tissues.

The difference between a crack and a fracture is most often perfectly visualized on an X-ray: it is even possible to determine the size of the damage and the degree of damage to nearby tissue structures. In the case where the fracture line does not divide the bone into two or more separate fragments, the patient is diagnosed with a crack in the bone. If the bone is completely divided, or, moreover, its fragments are displaced, then a complete fracture is diagnosed.

Treatment bone fractures

After diagnosing a bone crack, the doctor begins prescribing treatment. The main point of therapy is immobilization of nearby joints and bones, immobilization of the limb. This can be done with a plaster cast (splint), or other devices that can ensure immobility of the damaged area.

In some cases, it is possible to do without applying a plaster cast: the patient is offered to wear an orthosis - a special medical device that corrects, unloads and fixes the damaged joint and limb.

The injured person is recommended to follow a special diet - with increased content of minerals and vitamins. For pain, analgesics are prescribed, and for lower limbs, bed rest.

In some cases, it may be necessary to take anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant drugs. [ 14 ]

What do you do when you have a bone fracture?

Immediately after receiving an injury, you need to go to the nearest medical facility - preferably to the emergency room. When going to the doctor, it is important to immobilize the affected area of the body first: for example, you can apply a splint from improvised materials, or at least a sling (if the arm is injured). If possible, apply an ice pack to the injured area.

If the lower limb is injured, you cannot walk on your own: leaning on the damaged bone can worsen the problem, and a partial fracture will become complete or even displaced. If the foot is injured, it is fixed and immobilized.

All victims are prescribed X-ray diagnostics to clarify the nature of the injury. [ 15 ]

How long should you wear a cast if you have a bone fracture?

The length of time a patient needs to stay in a plaster cast for a bone crack is not the same for all patients. It depends on many factors: the size of the damage, its location, the general health condition and the age of the victim.

On average, a plaster cast has to be worn for 20 to 35 days. If the injury is to the foot, this period can be extended to 5-7 weeks.

If the patient suffers from diabetes, the duration of stay in a plaster cast for a bone crack also increases – from a couple of months to six months.

Trying to get rid of a plaster cast before the time is up should not be done: a crack in the bone is also a fracture, albeit a partial one. For it to heal, it is extremely important to ensure that the broken area remains immobile. Only under such conditions will normal tissue fusion occur. [ 16 ]

Medicines that a doctor may prescribe

In order for a bone crack to heal faster, plaster casting alone is not enough: it is necessary to use certain medications that relieve pain and accelerate the restoration of bone tissue.

What drugs are we talking about?

1. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
2. Vitamin and mineral complexes will help replenish the supply of nutrients in the body.
3. Chondroprotectors are prescribed when there is a need to restore cartilage tissue.
4. Immunostimulants – strengthen the immune system and promote rapid healing.
5. Diuretics are needed if fluid accumulates in the area of the damaged bone element (edema).

• Analgesics, painkillers:
  • Ketanov is a ketorolac preparation that is prescribed to relieve acute pain for a short period of time. Ketanov is taken one tablet every 5 hours. The drug should not be taken for more than five to seven days in a row, due to its negative effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
  • Ibuprofen is a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is taken 400-600 mg 2-3 times a day. Long-term treatment with the drug can cause heartburn, diarrhea, sleep disturbance; erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract are often noted.
  • Pentalgin is a combination drug based on the action of metamizole, paracetamol, caffeine and other ingredients. Tablets are taken one at a time up to three times a day (intervals between doses are at least four hours). Treatment with Pentalgin is sometimes accompanied by such side effects as indigestion, fatigue, irritability. The drug is not prescribed if the patient has a craniocerebral injury in addition to a bone fracture, or if increased intracranial pressure is noted.
  • Solpadeine is a combination drug available in convenient effervescent tablets that are dissolved in a glass of water. Standard administration involves taking 2 tablets every four hours (but no more than eight tablets per day). Side effects during treatment are limited to possible allergies to the drug.
• Diuretics to eliminate swelling:
  • Veroshpiron is a diuretic based on spironolactone, prescribed orally at 0.05-0.3 g/day (more often - 0.1-0.2 g in three doses). Withdrawal is carried out gradually. Treatment may be accompanied by dizziness, a feeling of drowsiness, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia.
  • Diacarb is an acetazolamide preparation. To eliminate swelling in a bone fracture, 0.125-0.25 g is prescribed 1-2 times a day for 1-2 days. Longer use may cause headaches with dizziness, paresthesia, and allergies.
• Calcium-containing products, vitamin preparations:
  • Calcium gluconate is a calcium salt of gluconic acid. Take tablets before meals, 1-3 g up to three times a day. If you are prone to thrombosis, the drug is contraindicated.
  • Calcemin Advance - contains an effective combination of calcium and vitamin D, as well as other microelements. For a bone fracture, take two tablets a day with water (morning and evening). Do not take more than 3 tablets a day, as this may lead to digestive problems and allergies.
  • Calcium D ₃ Nycomed - convenient chewable tablets with calcium and cholecalciferol. In case of a bone crack, it is appropriate to use the drug 2-3 times a day, one tablet at a time. The treatment is usually well tolerated, only in rare cases nausea and loss of appetite are noted.
• Preparations for strengthening the immune system:
  • Immuno-tone is a syrup with extracts of eleutherococcus, echinacea and St. John's wort. It is taken with food or immediately after it: 1 tablespoon in the morning for a week. It is not recommended to take the drug for a longer period of time, due to the risk of a decrease in immune activity.
  • Echinacea tablets are a herbal preparation with hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and immunostimulating properties. Tablets are taken in the morning and evening, one at a time, for one or two weeks. Contraindications to the use of the drug are hypersensitivity to any plants from the Asteraceae family (for example, chamomile, dandelion, calendula).
  • Immunoflazid is a sweet and liquid plant extract with a pronounced immunostimulating property. Adults take this product 9 ml twice a day for 1-4 weeks. Allergies to the drug are rare.
• Preparations for cartilage tissue restoration:
  • Chondroitin complex with glucosamine - prescribed during the rehabilitation period for a bone crack, one capsule twice a day for three weeks. Then switch to a maintenance dose of one capsule once a day. The total duration of treatment is 2 months. The drug is not recommended for use in cases of bleeding tendency.
  • Teraflex – used for complete and partial fractures, to speed up the regeneration process and the formation of bone callus. The drug is taken 1 capsule three times a day for 21 days, and then 1 capsule twice a day. Duration of treatment is 2-3 months.

Ointments for bone cracks

To relieve pain and speed up healing in case of a bone crack, it is also allowed to use external remedies in the form of ointments or gels.

Ointments that relieve pain discomfort:

• Diclofenac gel, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Suitable for eliminating joint and muscle pain, aching discomfort in bone cracks.
• Ketonal cream based on ketoprofen has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, relieves post-traumatic pain.
• Ointment with lidocaine 5% refers to local anesthetics of the amide type. Can be used for short-term local anesthesia.
• Ointments used for swelling and hematoma:
• Heparin ointment is an anticoagulant and is used for swelling that occurs after injuries without breaking the skin.
• Indovazin is a combination drug that simultaneously has anti-edematous, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Troxevasin gel is prescribed to eliminate swelling and pain in post-traumatic syndrome.
• Warming ointments prescribed during the recovery period:
• Nikoflex is a local preparation with an analgesic, warming and vasodilatory effect. It is not used during an acute inflammatory reaction.
• Kapsikam is a combined product with an irritating and vasodilatory effect, improves local blood circulation in tissues. Kapsikam should not be applied to damaged skin. Caution: the product can cause allergies.

Vitamins and microelements for bone fractures

To strengthen bone tissue, the body needs calcium and zinc, magnesium and phosphorus. However, these substances cannot be absorbed without the presence of certain vitamins. For example, it is important to have sufficient intake of B vitamins, ascorbic acid, and vitamin D. A full set of vitamins and minerals will significantly speed up the healing of a bone crack.

What is the role of the mentioned beneficial components?

• The main building block of the musculoskeletal system is calcium: it is what provides bone strength.
• For calcium to be fully absorbed, the presence of vitamin D is necessary: if its intake is insufficient, then bone tissue will not be strong.
• B vitamins participate in the normalization of bone growth processes, maintain elasticity and help form collagen fibers.
• Ascorbic acid accelerates all recovery processes in the body and prevents demineralization.
• Vitamin K ₂ is designed to prevent calcium from being “leached” from tissues.

All of the listed components can be obtained both from food and by taking complex vitamin and mineral preparations. Widely known are such complex preparations as "Vitrum osteomag", "Osteo santum", "Vitrum calcium D ₃ " any of these preparations can be taken for bone cracks, and even for fractures.

As for food products, the above vitamins and minerals are present in sufficient quantities in vegetables, greens, fruits, cottage cheese, sesame seeds, buckwheat, legumes. Vitamin D intake can be ensured by sufficient exposure to sunlight.

Physiotherapy treatment for bone fracture

Physiotherapy is allowed to be used already on the second or third day from the moment of injury. Most often, UHF, electrophoresis, and UFO are prescribed for a bone fracture. For electrophoresis, mainly targeted medications are used: calcium, chlorine, corticosteroids, novocaine, and iodine preparations.

Warming is carried out using paraffin, ozokerite, and therapeutic mud. The essence of thermal procedures is to accelerate blood flow in the damaged area, which will lead to improved metabolism and recovery processes, as well as the rapid removal of tissue decay products.

Mud therapy has a positive effect on the human nervous system in general. Contraindications may include decompensated cardiac disorders, tuberculosis, and oncological pathologies.

Other adjuvant therapies often include climatotherapy, massage, galvanization (electrotherapy), balneotherapy, and exercise therapy.

Folk remedies for bone cracks

Provided that the bone fracture is properly immobilized, it will heal on its own after some time. However, in order to speed up this process, you can use additional treatments, such as folk remedies. We offer you several recipes, the effect of which has been tested by more than one generation.

• Take the shell of one chicken egg, dry it well and grind it to a powder. Mix the resulting powder with lemon juice and eat it all. Prepare a similar remedy daily and take it for a couple of weeks.
• Eat two or three walnuts daily.
• Take a raw egg yolk, mix it with 1 teaspoon of dry gelatin. Eat it immediately after mixing, and then do not eat for half an hour. Repeat the procedure daily until the condition improves steadily.
• Collect the shells of chicken eggs, dry them well and grind them into powder. Eat ½ teaspoon of the resulting powder for breakfast and dinner.
• Treat the damaged area with fir oil daily, up to three times a day.

Herbal treatment

• Comfrey.

Pour 1 tbsp. of comfrey with 500 ml of boiling water, keep for 1 hour under the lid, filter. Drink 1 tbsp. up to 4 times a day, and also lubricate the damaged area.

• Comfrey.

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tbsp of comfrey, leave to cool, filter. Take 1 dessert spoon three times a day for four weeks. In addition, the infusion can be used to treat the damaged area on the body. Rub the medicine into the skin twice a day - in the morning and at night.

• Calendula.

Take one and a half tablespoons of dry calendula, pour 500 ml of boiling water, keep for an hour under the lid. Filter and take 100 ml 4 times a day.

• Rose hips.

Pour 500 ml of boiling water over 25 fruits, keep in a thermos for 15-20 minutes. Filter and take 150-200 ml up to 4 times a day, between meals.

The indicated plants stimulate regenerative processes in bone tissue, accelerate wound healing, and strengthen the body's resistance.

Homeopathy for bone fracture

Homeopathic remedies can be used immediately after the injury, as well as later, to speed up the healing of a bone crack.

In order to choose the right drug, you need to consult a homeopathic doctor who can recommend the following remedies:

• Arnica is suitable for the treatment of partial and complete bone fractures of any location and complexity.
• Aconite – successfully fights shock, pain, and normalizes the state of the nervous system.
• Symphytum – suitable for accelerating the healing of minor injuries; treatment begins after fixing the damaged bone.
• Calendula – is prescribed to optimize the healing process in injuries accompanied by internal bleeding and hematomas.
• Hypericum – helps if the injury is accompanied by a loss of sensitivity in the affected area.
• Ruta - suitable for the treatment of bone fractures, sprains and soft tissues.
• Calcarea phosphorica is prescribed if the crack does not heal for a long time (within 1-1.5 months).

It is recommended to take 3 grains of the selected remedy in a 30c potency, every 4 hours, or more often (for severe pain, until a stable improvement in the condition).

Side effects during treatment are usually absent. Homeopathic remedies are safe and have no contraindications for use.

Surgical treatment for bone fracture

Surgical treatment is used exclusively to eliminate all kinds of damage and deformation of the limbs, spine, pelvis. This is relevant mainly for bone fractures. In case of bone cracks, such treatment is most often not required.

Prevention

Prevention of bone injuries, including fractures and cracks, is a very necessary measure for children and adults. What does it consist of? First of all, it is necessary not only to avoid all kinds of falls and injuries, but also to prevent the development of osteoporosis, a pathological condition in which bone loss occurs. Osteoporosis increases the frequency of bone cracks several times.

What recommendations do doctors offer on this matter?

• You should quit smoking: smokers lose bone mass much faster than other people. Bone injuries heal more slowly, and there is a risk of poor and incorrect bone healing in fractures.
• Moderation in alcohol consumption is necessary: alcoholic beverages negatively affect the course of metabolic processes, the quality of calcium absorption in the body, and the formation of bone tissue.
• It is important to monitor your weight: it is known that extra pounds significantly increase the risk of bone injury. However, such an extreme as excessive thinness is also a negative point: malnutrition, frequent adherence to strict diets lead to metabolic disorders, to thinning of bone tissue. It is especially undesirable to limit yourself in nutrition during adolescence - during this period, the quality of the bone apparatus is formed. Therefore, it is optimal to adhere to the "golden mean" and avoid both obesity and excessive thinness.
• We must not forget about the benefits of sunlight: even 15-30 minutes a day is enough to give the body the necessary dose of solar energy - first of all, for adequate production of vitamin D. But you should not abuse being in the sun either: this can lead to deterioration of the skin and the development of melanoma.
• It is important to eat a complete and healthy diet: an excess of protein products, abuse of coffee can cause a calcium deficiency in the body. Products such as nuts, greens, berries, and tofu cheese improve the quality of bone tissue.
• It is necessary to lead an active lifestyle: physical inactivity leads to weakening of the entire musculoskeletal system. Sports activities do not necessarily have to be

Forecast

The prognosis depends on the patient's age, lifestyle, location and severity of the bone crack, the nature of the medical care provided, and the quality of rehabilitation. Bone injuries heal faster in young people than in old people. The general health of the person is also of great importance: the presence of chronic diseases, metabolic disorders, and hormonal pathologies slow down the healing of a bone crack. [ 17 ] In general, the prognosis for healing the injury can be considered favorable, provided that the recommended immobilization means and medications are used.