Fractures

Getting a fracture is almost inevitable it seems. Many people get broken bones or fractures every single day. If you sustain an injury, it is best to seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis and treatment started. At WellCare Urgent Care center we will get you checked out and taken care of in no time so you can begin the healing process.


Compound or Simple Fractures

If you participate in physical activities such as contact sports or weight-bearing exercises, then you are at a higher risk of having an injury that includes a broken bone. Falling down or receiving a strong blow to the body can fracture a bone in different ways. A simple fracture could occur when the bone breaks into two pieces, or when there is a hairline fracture. In some cases, the bone may break in three places, which is referred to as a comminuted fracture. Alternatively, a compound fracture is more dangerous because a piece of broken bone pokes through the skin. These broken bones can also be referred to as a closed fracture site and open fracture site.

Specific Types of Fractures

A physician can examine you along with collecting an X-ray to determine what type of fracture is present. There are specific types of fractures, including:

  • Avulsion – breaks caused by a ligament being pulled from surrounding tissue
  • Hairline – partial breaks of the fractured area
  • Stress – fractures caused by strain or repetitive motion
  • Longitudinal – breaks that occur along the length of bones
  • Transverse – breaks that occur across the width of the bone

How Can You Know That You Have a Broken Bone?

If you have a compound fracture, then it is obvious because you will see the bones poking through your skin, and internal tissues will bleed causing you sudden pain trouble. This deep wound is at risk for serious infection. With closed fractures, there is still pain, but you may not be certain if the bone is broken until you have the fracture diagnosed. Both bone fractures constitute a medical emergency that requires professional medical care.

Here are some of the symptoms of a fracture:

  • Immobility of the injured area
  • Bruising and swelling of the skin over the bone
  • Intense pain while trying to stand or lift an object
  • Pain where the injury happened

Though synonyms, not many people realize that a fracture is a break, so even though the break may not go completely through the injured bone, a broken arm is the same as a fracture. Children are less likely to break a bone because their bone heals quickly. Senior citizens, on the other hand, can break a bone easily due to nearby joints being weakened and the same bone being worn down by repeated stress.

What Is the Treatment for Bone Fractures?

For most fractures, a physician adjusts the bone fragments into the correct positions before providing a cast or a splint. However, many compound fractures require repair with surgery to place the bones in the correct locations or to add metal rods, or metal plates. The internal fixation of a metal frame attached to bone makes the bones strong. After hospitalization, you will wear a cast for several weeks while the bone fracture heals. Fractures in the hips, neck, or back are particularly dangerous, and you should call paramedics immediately for assistance to avoid additional damage to the body’s nerves or organs. For simple fractures, it is okay to go to an urgent care clinic for fracture treatment.

Come into WellCare

If you have broken or fractured a bone then it is imperative that you get immediate medical care. Come into WellCare Urgent Care Center in Grand Rapids so that we can give you the treatment you need. We offer same-day appointments at both our Cascade and Leonard locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I visit Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

Urgent Care

When you have any medical condition that is non-life threatening or have general medical needs, then an Urgent Care center can take care of these. WellCare Urgent Care takes care of a variety of medical concerns such as the flu, vaccinations, physicals, allergy symptoms, and more.

WellCare Urgent care is convenient because it is quick and cost-effective.

Average visit time: 1 hour
Average cost: $150

Emergency Room

Emergency care is necessary when you are suffering from a life-threatening condition. This could be a heart attack, stroke, head injury, or other trauma that requires more advanced treatment. If you or someone you love has a life-threatening illness or injury, then you need to call 911 and get to the closest Emergency Room.

Emergency Rooms, while the best option for serious trauma, do take time and are costly.

Average Time Spent: 4.5 hours
Average Cost Per Visit: $1700

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