Bone fracture

How Does Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy is helpful for restricted joint mobility and decreased muscle strength in the same areas, both before and during recovery from surgeries. A physiotherapist helps find solutions for discomfort caused by sedentary work and other musculoskeletal issues.

If possible, bring your test results with you. Exercises are easier to perform when wearing comfortable sportswear.

Overview

A bone fracture is a medical condition in which the continuity of the bone is partially or completely broken. The bone breaks into two or more parts, and this is always accompanied by injury to the surrounding soft tissues. A fracture can be either non-displaced (also called a crack) or displaced.

In a closed fracture, there is no damage to the skin, but bruising occurs in the surrounding soft tissues.
In an open fracture, there is a wound at the fracture site where injured bone structures may be visible, and external bleeding occurs.
A stress fracture, also known as a fatigue fracture, can be caused by overuse. Repeated running, jumping, or twisting stresses initially cause microscopic cracks in the bone, which try to heal on their own. If activity is not stopped, the fractured area enlarges, and as the fracture line expands, a complete bone fracture develops.

Symptoms

General Symptoms of a Bone Fracture:

Severe pain that worsens with movement and pressure on the injured area. In the case of a rib fracture, pain may increase with deep inhalation, coughing, and body movement.
Swelling
Bruising around the injured area. In a fracture, a cracking sound (crepitus) may be heard from the broken bone ends, the injured site may become deformed, and normal limb movement may be impossible.

Causes

Bone fractures most often occur as a result of external force or impact, such as a fall, collision in contact sports, or a traffic accident.
The hand is the most commonly injured part.
Injuries to large bones usually result from serious trauma, for example, sports injuries, car accidents, or falls from a height.
Bone injury can also occur without significant trauma due to decreased bone density, such as in osteoporosis.
Chest trauma can cause rib fractures. The most common rib injury is a crack, while the most severe is a comminuted rib fracture. In this case, the jagged edge of the broken bone can damage large blood vessels or internal organs, such as the lung.
The cause of a stress fracture is overuse.

Risk Factors

Any physical activity that requires great strength, effort, speed, or involves height can cause bone trauma.
Contact sports carry a higher risk of fractures compared to individual sports.
At work, ignoring safety measures or engaging in dangerous driving styles also increases the risk of accidents.
The risk of bone fractures increases with age.
A risk factor for stress fractures is a sudden increase in intense training load. People with a sedentary lifestyle who suddenly begin intense training also have a high risk of developing stress fractures. Outside of sports, stress fractures are more common in people with osteoporosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Women have a higher risk of stress fractures than men.

Treatment Options

Early diagnosis and the start of treatment are important in cases of bone fractures. The method of treatment and healing time depend on the type, location, and severity of the fracture. Bone fractures are treated conservatively by stabilizing the injured area with a cast, splint, or support bandage. Rest from heavy load is important, but with the help of a physiotherapist, a suitable exercise program is always found during the recovery period, as moderate physical activity and good blood circulation promote faster healing. When applying a cast, it is sometimes necessary to properly realign or manipulate the fracture first to normalize the shape and position of the bone and joint surfaces.

In more severe cases, surgical treatment is required. During the period of wearing a cast, difficulties with movement may arise. However, continuing daily activities and doing light exercises to stimulate blood circulation and metabolism is recommended. Passive rest may prolong the healing time. Physical activity largely depends on the injured area and severity. Consult a physiotherapist if needed to develop an individualized exercise program. Pain management is also important.

In the case of a rib fracture, pain may prevent deep breathing, which can lead to lung complications such as pneumonia. Stress fractures generally heal well if the load that caused the fracture is avoided for a prolonged period. Younger athletes tend to recover faster than adults or older recreational athletes.

Prevention

Bone fractures cannot always be prevented, as they usually result from accidents. However, it is possible to reduce the risk. To avoid accidents in traffic, it is important to follow traffic rules, and at work, to adhere to safety regulations. To strengthen bones, consume calcium-rich foods and engage in regular health-promoting sports. Stress fractures can be prevented by temporarily replacing the main training activity with another form of exercise—for example, a runner might switch to swimming or cycling.

Clients

Feedback

“On olnud vägagi tõhusad füsioteraapiaseansid. Edasiviiv arutelu ja palju soovitusi harrastussportlase targemaks vigastustevabaks treenimiseks!”

“Katrel on põhjalikud teadmised jooksuvigastustest. Minu vigastust ja selle teket analüüsides, sain häid soovitusi nii varustuse vahetamiseks, taastavateks harjutusteks, kui ka jooksutrenni järgseteks harjutusteks, mis on taganud selle, et asfaldil ka pikamaid distantse joostes (sh võisteldes), pole valu enam tagasi tulnud.”

Olen käinud seal alates aastast 2021 ja vastuvõtt on alati meeldiv olnud. Kohtasin seal enda lemmikut füsioterapeuti Anastassia Šipilovat, kelle käed teevad (ja aju) imesid. Olgu mure tingitud ülekoormusest, vigastusest või lihtsalt ennetamine, she knows the magic.✨✨ Peale õlaoperatsiooni pani ta mu käe jälle liikuma ja olen tagasi ratta seljas. 🙂 Soovitan Füsioteraapia Kliinikut väga!

“Katre on väga suurte teadmistega ning füsioterapeudina äärmiselt toetav ja põhjalik. Mulle meeldib tema suhtumine, et sporditraumadest on võimalik taastuda ning saab ja tulebki sportimisega jätkata. Lisaks traumade füüsikalistele põhjustele “kontrollib” ta alati üle ka muud baasteemad – une, koormuse, taastumise, toitumise.”

Kõik väga meeldis alustades sisse tulemisest personaal oli väga lahke ja vastutulev. Mina isiklikult käisin Anastassia Šipilova juures millega jäin väga rahule, on näha, et Anastassia läheneb väga individuaalselt ja on enda ala proff.

Käisin visiidil nädala kestnud põlvevaluga. Katre tegi kohe põhjaliku ülevaatuse (testis mobiilsust ja potentsiaalseid vigastusi) ning diagnoosis potentsiaalse probleemi. Edasi tegime erinevaid harjutusi ja määrasime paika raviplaani. Harjutused filmis ta ka üles, et oleks hiljem hea järele vaadata ning saatis mulle koheselt ka videod. Lõpetuseks kinesioteipis ta põlve (lisaks juhendas, kuidas saan seda tulevikus ise teha) ja andis kaasa ka treeningupaela harjutuste tegemiseks. Väga põhjalik, professionaalne ja meeldiv kogemus!

Põlve meniskioperatsioonist taastumine füsioterapeudi Anastassia juures oli väga efektiivne, süstemaatiline, stressivaba ja viis stabiilse eduni. Anastassia optimism, teadmised ja isiksuseomadused ei anna edasi mitte ainult usku, et taastumine on täielik ja ilma jääkpiiranguteta, vaid ka tunnet, et see nii ongi. Soovitan Anastassia juurde kindlasti pöörduda, kui teil on vaja taastuda operatsioonist, vigastusest või lihtsalt nõu saamiseks, püüdes vältida negatiivseid muutusi igapäevaelus või sportides.

About Us

Füsioteraapia Kliinik OÜ is a company established in 2011, whose specialists are recognised Estonian sports physiotherapists.

The clinic’s specialists help find solutions to various musculoskeletal system problems, whether it’s pain limiting daily activities or sports, decreased muscle performance, restricted joint mobility, or other issues.

In practice, the most common reasons for consulting a physiotherapist are muscle tension, pain in the lower back and neck area, as well as painful shoulder and knee joints.