A leg fracture is the most common injury, both among ordinary people and professional athletes. If such a nuisance happens, people wonder how to treat a broken leg? In this article, you will learn what a broken leg is, what the symptoms and consequences are, how to provide first aid and how to treat a broken leg.
If a person gets a broken leg or arm, this radically changes his lifestyle. If a leg fracture occurs, the person cannot move normally. In modern medicine, new methods and drugs are constantly being developed to quickly treat a fracture. It is better to prevent fractures than to treat them later. Recovery takes a long time. When the leg bones are fractured, tissue integrity is disrupted. Leg fractures are very rare in children because they have more calcium in their bodies than adults.
What are the symptoms of a broken leg? Depending on the location of the fracture, symptoms may vary.
If the fracture occurs in the tubular bones (femur, fibula and tibia), then the person experiences severe pain when placing a load on the damaged area, the limb becomes slightly shorter than the other, and mobility of the bone at the fracture site is observed.
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Feet are no exception. The speed and quality of bone fusion in the future depends on the correctness of the first medical measures. The main thing is the correct and quick delivery of the victim to the hospital. If the fracture is closed, the patient can be given painkillers. To ensure that the injured limb remains motionless during transportation, it must be properly secured using a special splint. If there is no such thing, then you can use boards, sticks, hard tree bark, an umbrella and others. You can use any available material.
The splint is placed on the bare leg, which must be wrapped with some soft material so as not to compress the joints. The splint must be secured with bandages, towels or clothing, after tearing it apart. If the fracture is open and accompanied by severe bleeding, then it is necessary to apply a tourniquet slightly above the injury. If you have streptocide tablets with you, then you need to crush one and sprinkle the powder on the wound. You can pour a little alcohol on it to disinfect. Never try to set bone fragments yourself. This can only make things worse.
If the diagnosis is indeed confirmed and you have a broken leg, then treatment should be appropriate. To determine the location of the fracture, an x-ray of the leg must be taken. If there is a fracture without displacement of the long bones, the patient will have to undergo skeletal retraction. If there is a displaced fracture of the tibia, then reposition with the application of a plaster is necessary. If a displaced fracture of the femur occurs and reduction cannot be performed, then surgery is necessary. The bone will need to be fastened with special plates.
If a patellar fracture occurs, treatment should be conservative. The patient will be allowed to walk with crutches. During surgery, it will be necessary to bring the fragments together, sew together torn tissues and ligaments.
After any leg fracture, rehabilitation is needed. Not everyone knows how it should be done correctly. In this article you will find out everything you need.
After a long stay in a cast on the leg, the normal flow of lymph and blood is disrupted. This is why the leg begins to swell a lot. In order to remove swelling after removing the plaster, you need to increase muscle activity, increase the load on the limb, and eliminate the phenomena of congestion. To do this, you need to rub your feet with massage movements with cedar oil.
You can prepare yourself a bath with the addition of sea salt and a decoction of medicinal herbs. For 1 liter of water you need 100 grams of salt.
Then the leg needs to be developed. This can be done at home without any special equipment. The load on the injured leg should be increased gradually. Under no circumstances try to complete all the exercises at once. The leg is still very weak and may become painful.
After damage to the integrity of the bone, you need to eat properly and balanced. To make recovery go faster, you need minerals, vitamins, and most importantly, calcium and silicon.
You can buy a complex of vitamins at the pharmacy. Vitamin D must be present in the composition.
Massage plays a big role in recovery after a broken leg. Massage can be done after applying a plaster cast. This is necessary so that the muscles do not lose their shape after being without movement for a long time. But, it should be noted, until the leg bone has grown together, the massage should be performed in the form of stroking, light movements and touches. Everything must be done extremely carefully so that the bone does not shift.
After the bone has fused, the massage movements should become more intense to stretch the muscles. Additional equipment may be used.
Depending on the type of fracture and its location, the massage technique can be completely varied. The main thing is to do no harm.
A few days after applying the plaster cast, you will need to do physical therapy. Exercise therapy after a broken leg is needed in order to restore the functions of the damaged leg and move independently. Some exercises require special equipment. Patients learn to maintain posture, walk in place, and practice on a special machine. To restore blood flow in the foot, patients walk barefoot on various surfaces.
If the patient has undergone metal osteosynthesis, the exercises will be slightly different. From the second day after applying the plaster cast, you will need to perform breathing exercises, move your toes, and turn your foot as much as possible. All exercises are performed lying down, because the patient cannot get up.
A short period of time after the operation, a cushion is placed under the injured limb. It allows you to lift and straighten your leg.
After another two weeks, resistance and weight training equipment is added. The muscles should be tense for at least five seconds. This is how muscles develop faster.
After some time, the patient can be taught to walk on crutches if the bones are completely fused.
All exercises must be performed with caution to avoid causing harm. Using X-rays, the doctor will monitor the degree of bone fusion and, as far as possible, add more and more exercises and equipment to develop the damaged leg.
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A fracture—a break or crack in a bone—occurs when a bone is subjected to excessive force. A broken bone can damage nearby muscles, nerves, and other soft tissue.
Fractures of the arms and legs usually occur in accidents, such as falling on an outstretched arm or while skiing. In some diseases, normal daily activities can also cause a fracture.
The fracture can be closed (simple) or open (complicated). With a closed fracture, the skin over the broken bone remains intact and the bone does not come out. In an open fracture, parts of the broken bone pass through the skin, creating an open wound down to the depth of the bone. This is usually a more serious injury than a closed fracture because it can cause severe bleeding and infection.
It is not always easy to determine whether a bone is broken. To prevent complications, in any serious case, you should keep in mind that this is possible.
Knowing the main symptoms of a fracture will help determine whether the injury is one. Here are the questions to answer:
1) Did the victim hear or feel the crunching of a bone, did he have a feeling that the bone was cracking or grinding? If so, a fracture may be suspected.
2) Does the injured area look swollen? Has your skin turned blue? Swelling and discoloration are symptoms of a fracture.
3) Does the damaged bone appear misshapen? Is it different in length and shape from the same bone on the other side of the body? If so, the bone is most likely broken.
4) Does the victim complain of pain and sensitivity - especially if you carefully feel the bone lengthwise? Can the victim show the painful area? If so, there is a good chance that the bone is broken.
5) Can the victim move the injured limb? Is she moving abnormally or unnaturally? When a fracture occurs, movement causes pain, so reluctance or inability to move the limb indicates a fracture. But this is not always true. Sometimes the victim can move the damaged bone and experience almost no pain.
If a person is involved in a serious accident, make sure that their airway is clear, check their pulse, and listen to their breathing.
If a neck or spinal injury is suspected, secure the victim's body by placing a rolled blanket or similar item on either side of the neck and torso. Wait for the doctors to arrive. Warn the victim not to move.
What to do if you have a moderate injury.
Most broken bones are small and such injuries are not life- or limb-threatening. If there are symptoms of a fracture, but the victim is conscious and breathing normally, your main task is to prevent deterioration and keep the victim calm and stable until medical help arrives.
Raise the victim's legs 20-30 cm . This promotes blood flow from the legs to the heart, preventing shock. Then wrap the victim in a blanket to prevent heat loss. Do not lift the victim's legs too high. This may interfere with normal breathing. Do not lift the victim's legs if he is unconscious, has difficulty breathing, or suspects a chest injury.
Check for heavy bleeding . If you don't see anything, look further, carefully removing or cutting off any clothing covering the damaged area. If you find a bleeding wound, cover it with gauze or a clean cloth. Then apply direct pressure using a clean cloth, gauze pad, or just your hand. Press firmly for 10-15 minutes. If bleeding resumes when you release pressure, do not remove the pad. Place another one on top and keep applying pressure. If bleeding does not stop, elevate the injured limb. If bleeding still does not stop, apply indirect pressure to the point where the artery is being pinched while continuing direct pressure. If a combination of direct and indirect pressure does not stop the bleeding, a tourniquet will have to be used.
It is important ! Whenever you have to deal with blood or other secretions from someone else's body, be sure to protect yourself by using protective equipment to avoid contracting blood-borne diseases, particularly hepatitis or AIDS. Rubber gloves provide the best protection. If they are not available, use any waterproof material - plastic bags, oilcloth, several layers of gauze napkins, or at least cloth.
Ask the victim to move his fingers . If he is unable to do this, then the bone fragments have most likely damaged nearby nerves. Do not move the damaged bone unless absolutely necessary. Do not try to put back the protruding part of the bone - you may introduce foreign matter into the wound, aggravating tissue injury.
Apply a splint to the damaged bone . If you need to move the victim or have to wait a long time for medical help, apply a splint to the injured limb. It will support and immobilize the bone and protect the muscles, nerves and blood vessels from damage caused by the ends of the broken bone. Always fix the bone in the position in which you found it. The tire can be made from any materials that are at hand, for example, from a board, cardboard, broom, rolled up magazines and newspapers, a blanket, a stick, an oar, an umbrella, a pillow. The body can serve as a splint, for example, a broken finger is tied to the next one, a broken leg is tied to a healthy one. The sling is used together with a splint to support the injured arm, collarbone, and shoulder. Instead of bandages, you can use a scarf, belt, or tie.
How to splint a broken bone or dislocated joint. Carefully remove the injured part of the body from clothing. Do not attempt to straighten or set a broken bone or dislocated joint. Cover open wounds with clean dressings before splinting. Always try to find help. One person should support the injured body part while another person applies the splint. Working together helps avoid additional injury. Apply the splint to the bone so that it covers the joints above and below the injury. When applying a splint to a joint, grasp the joint above and below the injury. For example, when applying a splint to the knee, you should also apply it to the hip and ankle joints. If possible, splint both sides of the injured limb to prevent it from moving.
Place a pad (something soft, such as a towel or sheet) between the splint and the skin of the injured body part. This will prevent undue pressure on her. Place pads under the knee, wrist, other natural depressions and around any injuries. Do not tie the splint too tightly as this may cut off circulation and cause pain. Loosen the bandages if: the victim's fingers become swollen and blue; they cannot be moved; the area under the tire is numb and tingling is felt; no pulse can be felt under the splint; nails do not return to normal color 2 seconds after pressing. After applying the splint, elevate the injured part of the body to reduce swelling. If you have ice, apply it to the damaged part for 20 minutes - but only after checking the pulse in it.
Bandage the wound . If the wound continues to bleed after applying the splint, apply a pressure bandage or cover the damaged area with a clean napkin and press firmly. Secure the bandage with strips of fabric, a tie, or a strong bandage. If none of this is available, cover the wound with your gloved hand and apply direct pressure.
If you have a sterile cloth, cover the wound over the first bandage. If medical attention is not available for at least 2 hours, rinse the wound with clean water before applying a sterile dressing.
Immediately after applying the splint, send the victim to the hospital . If the patient is not transportable, cover him warmly while awaiting the arrival of doctors. Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink: if surgery is needed, the stomach should be empty.
If the patient is unconscious and has no breathing or heartbeat.
If a person is not breathing or his pulse is not palpable, immediately begin chest compressions, if you know how. Cardiac compression (CCM) is a resuscitation procedure that saves many lives every day around the world. The sooner you start giving the victim NMS, the greater his chances of survival.
What else you need to know about fractures.
Most broken bones heal completely without deformation - especially in children. A broken bone begins to heal immediately after the fracture. Fusion goes through four main stages.
Stage one: clot formation. Blood first collects at the ends of the broken bone, forming a viscous mass called a clot. Fibers are formed from the clot, which become the basis for the growth of new bone tissue.
Stage two: healing cells fill the clot. Soon, the cells that heal the blood—osteoclasts and osteoblasts—fill the clot. Osteoclasts begin to smooth out the jagged edges of the bone, and osteoblasts fill the gap between its ends. After a few days, these cells form a granular bridge that connects the ends of the bone.
Stage three: callus formation. Six to 10 days after the fracture, the granular bridge of cells becomes a bone mass called a callus. It is fragile and can break if moved suddenly. This is why a broken bone must remain motionless while healing. Later, the callus turns into hard bone.
Stage four: fusion of the ends of the bone. Three to 10 weeks after the fracture, new blood vessels begin to supply calcium to the fracture site. It strengthens new bone tissue. This process, called ossification, joins the ends of the bone. After this, the bone becomes strong and is considered healed. Although the cast can be removed, it will take about a year for the healed bone to become as strong as before the fracture.
To fully restore motor ability after an injury, it is necessary to introduce exercise therapy into the rehabilitation program. There are separate exercises for fractures of the femoral neck (collum femoris). They must be performed regularly, correctly distributing the load. Their features and specific examples should be examined in more detail.
Almost all types of fractures have their own physical therapy complexes. Rehabilitation after a collum femoris fracture with the help of physical education is a prerequisite for the patient’s complete recovery. Without physical activity, it is impossible to restore the motor abilities of an injured limb.
Special exercises for this injury are designed to perform the following tasks:
Regardless of the complexity of the injury, the doctor must prescribe exercise therapy for the patient to successfully achieve the goals and recovery of the patient.
You can perform various exercises after surgery for a collum femoris fracture in a certain sequence. The simplest movements are allowed from the first days. More intense loads are introduced gradually.
After 15-20 days, the bone heals enough so that you can begin active physical therapy, get out of bed for a short time, and walk in the fresh air using support. In any case, the timing and composition of the complex must be clarified with a doctor.
It is recommended to continue performing various exercises to recover from such an injury for at least a year. Physical exercise and regular walks will strengthen your muscles and improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system in general. Perhaps during this time, sports will become a habit and become an integral part of your life.
Exercise therapy is a standard part of an injury recovery program. Often the price of a full course is not too high, and therefore almost everyone can afford them. In addition, some clinics organize free classes and are ready to advise their patients regarding further treatment with sports at home.
Let's take a closer look at what exercises to do if you have a femoral neck fracture.
Classes involve a combination of different types of movements and load levels. First, let's look at a basic set of exercises. Such damage in the initial stages of treatment eliminates any load on the injured leg, but this does not mean that you need to lie motionless all this time.
In the first 3 to 5 days, it is recommended to limit yourself to the following exercises:
The most relevant are exercises performed from a lying position. They are actively used at the initial stage of rehabilitation, when a person cannot yet get out of bed. Also, such movements occupy the bulk of further training.
Let's look at the basic movements included in the set of exercises from a lying position:
After 1 - 2 weeks, you can already sit up freely in bed and do exercises while sitting on a chair.
This set of exercises involves the following movements:
When the bone has completely healed and the leg muscles are strong enough to support the weight of the person’s body, you can get out of bed and move on to active exercise therapy. This usually happens 3-4 weeks into the rehabilitation period.
A set of exercises from a standing position covers the following areas:
The load on the affected limb increases gradually after the injury; initially, impressive aids, such as walkers, are used for movement.
Over time, you can use a cane for walking.
In order for physical exercise to truly bring benefits, it is necessary to correctly distribute the load. Since if the integrity of the bone tissue is violated, any movement or pressure can lead to additional injuries or displacement of fragments, until the fracture is consolidated, it is better to leave the affected leg alone, limiting yourself to a simple warm-up for the muscles. But a healthy leg needs to be kept in good shape.
As you recover, rehabilitation exercises become more active and complex. Initially, you can only move the limb in bed.
The load in the first week should not exceed 15% of the usual norm. You can step on your foot from 3 weeks, when the load increases to 50%. But by two months after the start of treatment, complete restoration of the usual load is already allowed.
To avoid complications, you should consult your doctor in advance. The specialist’s instructions must be strictly followed, but at the same time you need to rely on your own feelings.
After serious and severe injuries, exercise therapy is prescribed in combination with other treatment and rehabilitation measures. To achieve maximum results, you need to exercise regularly, following the established program.
In order for a set of exercises to provide a truly effective result, it is recommended to attend physical therapy classes at a rehabilitation center. There are group classes for people with similar injuries.
At the same time, the most suitable exercises and load levels are selected for each patient. Such rehabilitation centers for people with musculoskeletal problems operate at clinics or independently. If desired, you can hire a personal rehabilitation instructor who will visit the patient in the ward or conduct classes at home.
The possibility of independently performing exercise therapy cannot be ruled out. You can find suitable video exercises for home exercises.
However, performing movements on your own that are previously unfamiliar to you can be dangerous for poorly formed bone tissue. It is best to first clarify the rules for performing the selected exercises with a specialist.
Do not give up physical activity due to an injury. You can get more interesting information by watching the video in this article.
Many patients with a metatarsal fracture turn to a traumatologist with the question: “How long should I wear a cast? Will I be able to walk without crutches after a fracture? How to restore a leg after an injury? We will try to answer these and other questions in our article.
The human foot has a complex anatomical structure, which consists of muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, as well as soft tissues. In total, the foot includes 26 bones, of which only 5 are metatarsal bones. These are the longest bones of the midfoot.
According to modern statistics, metatarsal bone fractures account for 5% - 6% of all skeletal bone fractures. This type of injury is equally common among male and female patients. The most common fractures of the fifth and fourth metatarsal bones occur (due to their anatomical location), fractures of the third metatarsal bone are quite rare.
All the bones of the human foot form a very complex multifunctional mechanism that ensures human movement and endures enormous loads of various types. Bones help absorb shock with every step a person takes.
All 26 bones of the foot are closely interconnected with each other. If any damage or displacement of one of the many components occurs as a result of injury, this can further lead to deformation and dysfunction of other bones.
If a person has suffered a fracture of the metatarsal bones as a result of an injury, he needs to contact a professional orthopedic traumatologist.
A fracture of the metatarsal bones is a violation of their anatomical integrity due to exposure to traumatic factors.
Let us consider the features of the clinical picture and treatment of each type of metatarsal fracture.
The main causes of this type of fracture are a blow to the foot with a heavy object or its twisting as a result of walking or running.
If the victim has a fracture of the metatarsal bones without displacement, the fragments of the damaged bone retain their anatomical position. With an open fracture, the integrity of the patient’s skin is compromised, and bone fragments may be visible from the wound.
Open fractures of the metatarsal bones are dangerous with a high risk of infection and the subsequent development of such serious complications as phlegmon, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tetanus and gangrene.
In traumatology, one of the types of fractures of the metatarsal bones of the foot is a Jones fracture. This type of fracture occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone and is characterized by very slow healing of the fragments. In some patients, the bone in this place almost never heals.
Very often, when visiting a doctor, patients are misdiagnosed and mistreated for foot sprains. Such tactics can lead to dire consequences.
This type of fracture appears as cracks that are barely noticeable on x-rays.
These types of fractures require timely and adequate treatment , because they can lead to adverse consequences over time.
The main clinical signs of a stress fracture are:
If the above symptoms appear, the victim must consult a traumatologist. A metatarsal fracture and a foot sprain have very similar symptoms. Some patients have the mistaken belief that if they can walk, then they do not need medical help: “With time, everything will go away on its own.” However, untimely diagnosis and improper treatment of stress fractures of the metatarsal bones can lead to serious complications, the consequences of which will be very difficult to correct.
In case of a fracture of the metatarsal bones, the diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis (presence of injury), patient complaints, objective examination of the foot, and x-ray examination.
The tactics of treatment depends on the nature and location of the fracture of the metatarsal bones, as well as on the fact of displacement of the fragments.
Types of treatment in modern traumatology:
Thanks to modern advances in medicine, and in particular osteosynthesis, the doctor can compare bone fragments and hold them in the correct position. During surgical treatment, the patient undergoes intraosseous fixation using a rod. This technique allows you to start loading the foot quite early and expand the range of active and passive movements of the toes.
What are the indications for the use of intraosseous osteosynthesis:
Intraosseous osteosynthesis is not used:
During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy.
Several types of treatment are used:
Rest and immobility during a fracture of the metatarsal bones are necessary to reduce acute traumatic changes, as well as to prevent secondary displacement and create the most favorable conditions for bone healing.
If the victim has a fracture of the metatarsal bones without displacement of the fragments, after mandatory consultation with a traumatologist, the usual plaster cast can be replaced with a special orthosis.
When wearing an orthosis, you can put physical stress on your leg, but in such a way as not to provoke the development of pain and swelling of the soft tissues of the foot.
During immobilization of the foot using a properly selected orthotic bandage, the patient may be prescribed pain relief, physical therapy, vascular medications and various ointments to reduce swelling. After the swelling of the soft tissues of the leg decreases, a control x-ray can be taken after 5-7 days.
Modern traumatology and surgery very often encounters a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone. Considering the fact that anatomically this bone is located closer to the outer edge of the foot, most often it is exposed to various traumatic influences. Its damage occurs when the foot rolls in . The clinical picture of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone is characterized by swelling of the foot in the area of injury, as well as severe pain. The victim cannot walk or lean on the injured leg.
Fractures of the metatarsal bone can be localized in the area of the base, its middle part and apex.
The mechanism of injury in this case is the application of force in the vertical, as well as in the mediolateral direction, to the base of the 5th metatarsal bone with the foot, which at this time is in a position of plantar flexion. Jones' fracture occurs in victims of cyclic stress loads.
After receiving an injury, the patient should seek help from a trauma surgeon.
First aid at the prehospital stage:
Treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture:
If the metatarsal bones are fractured, the patient must wear a plaster cast for at least 1.5 months.
The traumatologist allows the patient to step on the injured leg only after the control x-ray shows that the fracture of the metatarsal bones has completely healed. It is prohibited to remove the plaster splint ahead of time and on your own . During the recovery period, it is very important to dose physical activity. In the first days, the patient should walk and step only on the heel, gradually increasing the load on the entire foot. The doctor must prescribe a course of physical therapy, which will quickly restore the physiological function of the foot and return the patient to normal life. If the patient experiences pain while performing exercises, the course must be stopped.
During the rehabilitation period, it is best for the patient to start swimming. Exercises in water will allow you to effectively restore foot function with minimal stress.
During this period, the patient must be prescribed massage and physiotherapy; you can do warm baths with salt or medicinal herbs yourself. If your leg is very swollen, you can use Lyoton 1000 or Troxevasin ointments.
Restoration of foot function usually occurs within a month after the cast is removed. In order for the bone to be strong, the patient must eat well, consume foods with a high content of calcium and vitamins every day.
For some patients, the doctor prescribes the wearing of special orthopedic shoes or insoles.
Considering that the patient’s foot was without movement for a long time, to quickly restore its functions, it is recommended to do such simple exercises at home.
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Any leg injury threatens to limit mobility, and if we are talking about a fracture, the prospects are even more alarming. Regardless of the cause of the injury, you have to deal with its consequences for more than one week. Moreover, treatment sometimes involves no less painful procedures. Especially if there is a displaced leg fracture. However, refusing treatment makes no sense, and successful recovery is possible provided that assistance is provided in a timely manner and all medical prescriptions are followed.
With this injury, symptoms characteristic of all types of displaced fractures are observed:
Moreover, one of the symptoms - crunching - can appear directly during the injury. In addition, after a fracture, the victim cannot lean on the injured leg. Often there is an unnatural position of the leg or its visual shortening. To alleviate the fate of the victim before he can receive medical help, the bones of the injured limb are fixed in a comfortable position using special splints.
Providing effective medical care is impossible without taking an x-ray, based on the results of which the fragments will be aligned. Then, to ensure proper alignment, the injury site is blocked with anesthetics, and after that, specialists connect the ends of the bone fragments. If the fracture is accompanied by the formation of fragments, metal devices are used to fix the injured bones.
In case of complex fractures with significant divergence of the fragments, traction of the tibia by the heel bone is used to compare them. Moreover, it is needed immediately, on the first day of injury. This procedure helps restore normal blood supply and lymph circulation in the injured part of the leg, prevents the development of swelling and further damage to soft tissues from the displaced ends of the fragments. A cast is then applied from the toes to the top of the thigh.
The main symptoms for this injury are the same as for all fractures. This, in particular, is a crunching sound at the time of fracture, and the pain in the area of the ankle joint, of which the ankle is a part, is acute and intensifies with the slightest attempt to lean on the injured leg. In addition, pronounced swelling and hematoma are visually determined, and the hematoma can spread to the heel area. Numbness of the toes will indicate damage to blood vessels and nerves, so if large blood vessels are damaged, there will be significant swelling both at the site of injury and throughout the lower limb.
When an ankle is broken at the very beginning, before receiving medical help, bone fragments are also fixed using medical splints. To prevent painful shock, the victim should be given an anesthetic. Qualified assistance is provided in the hospital.
One of the features of an ankle fracture is considered to be the so-called concomitant injury - subluxation of the foot, therefore not only the alignment of the fragments is carried out, but also the reduction of the dislocation. If there is a large displacement of bone fragments, surgical treatment and the use of one of the types of metal devices: knitting needles, screws, plates are indicated. After the operation, the victim is given a plaster “boot” that covers part of the leg from the toes to the knee joint.
When a leg is broken with displacement of bone fragments, the pain does not stop for several days after the injury. Therefore, medications are indicated to reduce pain and relieve inflammation:
When a child is injured, the most common painkiller is Nurofen.
To reduce the intensity of pain during the first day after injury, drugs such as Ketorol and Sedalgin can be used. However, they should not be taken often because they are addictive.
At home, to reduce pain and inflammation, you can take an infusion based on the herb marshweed. To prepare it you will need 1 tbsp. l. base, which we pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover, wrap and leave to infuse for 2 hours. The finished infusion should be filtered and then taken 1/2 cup 2 times a day.
It is necessary to immediately take into account that the recovery of a leg after a fracture lasts a long time and consists of a set of measures, among which physical therapy occupies an important place. Her exercises are aimed at preventing muscle atrophy, reducing swelling, and improving blood supply and lymph circulation in the affected limb.
The simplest exercises can be done even while the leg is in a cast. It is recommended to perform movements in joints that are not covered with plaster for half an hour a day. So, if you have a broken leg, you must:
It is recommended to perform such exercises 3-4 times a day.
Loads and their frequency depend on the severity and location of the injury. In case of a displaced fracture in the ankle area, it is recommended to put weight on the limb after 2 weeks. If surgical treatment with the use of metal structures was undertaken, physical exercise can be started 3 weeks after the fracture. However, passive movements are recommended immediately after completion of the operation. It is also necessary to do exercises with your healthy leg.
After removing the cast, the easiest way to restore leg mobility is to perform cross swings for 30 seconds, leaning your hands on a chair. Also shown:
In addition, it is useful (and not only after a broken ankle) to hold small objects with your fingers, roll a ball with your foot, and walk on your toes and heels alternately.
The recovery period after a displaced fracture depends not only on the severity of the immediate injury. It is important to supplement drug treatment with physical therapy, exercises of which can be performed at home.
The tibia and talus bones form the ankle joint. The outer malleolus refers to the fibula, the inner malleolus to the tibia. Often a person is injured on the outer ankle, very rarely on the inner ankle, or both at once. It is dangerous when two ankles are fractured at once; problems with the tibia are observed. This type of injury is called a tri-malleolar injury.
It’s difficult for a person when, in addition to a fracture, there is also a dislocation of the foot. In this case, it is necessary to install a plaster cast. In cases of a fracture, when the fragments are displaced and the foot is dislocated, it is necessary for the doctor to set it, then correctly align the carpal fragments, and then apply a plaster cast. Surgery is often required. The bandage is fixed depending on the type of fracture - 1-3 months. Only a doctor can remove the bandage; it is prohibited to do this on your own ahead of time.
Please note that regardless of what type of fracture, what treatment methods were used, whether there is plaster or not, it is imperative to restore mobility in the limbs, for this to undergo a rehabilitation course.
1. For the first 3 days after you have been put in a cast, you need to remain calm, you cannot get up, and adhere to bed rest.
2. Take painkillers.
3. Your legs should be higher than your body; place a pillow under them.
4. On the first day, it is recommended to use a cold compress on areas where there is no plaster, you can do it on top.
5. Often, two days after the injury, severe swelling occurs; to alleviate the condition, you need to use dry heat - a heating pad, a bag of warm salt, its temperature should not exceed 38 degrees. The procedure takes up to 15 minutes.
6. Taking medications to relieve swelling.
7. On days 3-5, the swelling becomes maximum, then it begins to subside and pain disappears with it.
1. Bend your leg at the knees and at the hip joint; there is no need to tear it off. Repeat up to 8 times. Then tear off only the heel.
2. Bend your knees and rotate your foot clockwise up to 8 times, then repeat only counterclockwise.
3. Bending the leg at a right angle, extend it as much as possible. Repeat up to 8 times.
1. It is very important to monitor the condition of your toes; they should not be cold, and in no case should they lose sensitivity.
2. The toes should move fully.
3. The plaster should not be pressed or rubbed.
4. If the swelling does not subside after 4 days, you should definitely consult with your doctor, this indicates serious complications.
5. In the first week, you need to learn to move with the help of crutches and walkers; constant care is not needed, it is best to do this yourself, so the bones and muscles do not atrophy.
6. On the 6th day, you need to actively move your toes on the sore leg, while bending your legs at the knees and hip joints.
7. Try sitting up on your own and lowering your legs from the bed.
8. After a month, a person can already walk to the clinic with the help of crutches.
9. You need to move as much as possible.
It is very important to use an elastic bandage or bandage after the doctor has removed the bandage and taken an x-ray. It must be applied in the morning, immediately after waking up, the leg should not be swollen.
For some time, the bandage will be necessary if you need to do work at home or visit your doctor yourself. When you rest, you need to remove the bandage and place your leg on a pillow, this way you can improve blood circulation. It is also very important to apply ointments and compresses at this time. Rest for at least an hour, use compresses.
When the pain decreases and the swelling begins to subside, start moving as much as possible; if this is difficult to do, lean on a cane. Be sure to follow this regimen for the first few days after the cast is removed:
1. Do exercises in the morning, use a bottle of hot water for them. The plug must be tightly closed. You need to roll it with your foot for up to 10 minutes. Then rub in the ointment. When you have rested a little, you need to bandage your leg.
2. You can use crutches as support to walk as much as possible during the day.
3. Rest, rub in the ointment, get rid of the bandage, then after resting, put it on again.
4. Warm the foot with dry heat for up to 15 minutes, then apply ointment.
5. Compresses with alcohol, for this you need to take 96% alcohol, water, vegetable oil. Moisten gauze and apply to the affected area.
6. A magnet and UHF help a lot.
7. Water procedures are an effective method of rehabilitation; they must be performed up to three times a day. You can make such a bath yourself: dissolve sea salt in a liter of water.
If you follow all the rules during the rehabilitation period, after the plaster is removed, the swelling will quickly begin to subside, the ankle joint will quickly recover, and it will be much easier to move it.
In cases where the work is hard, it will be difficult for a person to recover, if the physical activity is not so intense, rehabilitation will take no more than one month.
Thus, an ankle fracture is a common injury that can damage the bone that is responsible for the ankle joint. Often this injury leads to muscle rupture and ligaments. It is very important not only to start treatment in a timely manner, but also to complete a full course of rehabilitation. It must necessarily consist of rest, walks in the fresh air, physical exercise, water procedures, baths, the use of lotions, compresses, ointments and all medications necessary for a quick recovery. If all the rules are not followed, serious problems may arise in the future, the bone will not heal and motor function will be impaired.