Fracture

If you have ongoing or severe pain after an injury, you might have a fracture. At Belongie Orthopedics in Clearwater, Florida, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Duane Belongie, MD, and his expert staff offer comprehensive fracture care to help a broken bone heal properly. At the first sign of a fracture, call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone that may occur for a variety of reasons. You might break a bone in your hip, lower leg, ankle, patella, or other areas of your body. If you struggle with musculoskeletal pain and you suspect it’s due to a fracture, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Belongie right away.

What are the symptoms of fractures?

If you break a bone, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Swelling
• Sudden or severe pain
• Decreased mobility 
• Reduced range of motion
• Bruising
• Warmth
• Redness
• Obvious deformity

You might not be able to place any weight on or move the injured area without extreme pain. While some fractures heal on their own with at-home care, many fractures need medical attention to ensure they heal properly.

What are the risk factors for fractures?

While a fracture can happen to anyone, factors that increase your risk of developing one include:

• Older age
• Osteoporosis
• Playing contact sports
• Overtraining
• Lack of exercise
• Poor dietary habits
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Falls
• Accidents

You might also sustain a fracture after jumping, cutting, colliding with another player, or falling down.

How does my provider diagnose fractures?

To find out if you have a fracture, Dr. Belongie examines the painful, injured area of your body. He asks about your medical history, accident history, and symptoms, and then checks your vital signs. To confirm a fracture, Dr. Belongie recommends X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, or other imaging procedure. He then personalizes a treatment that’s best for you.

How are fractures treated?

Your customized treatment plan for a fracture may include one or more of the following:

Splinting or casting

Wearing a splint or cast to immobilize a fracture is a common treatment. Dr. Belongie lets you know when you’re ready to remove the brace or cast.

Medicine

Taking medication helps control pain and inflammation during the healing process.

Traction

Traction uses pulleys, weights, and strings to stretch tissues surrounding a broken bone, align it, and help the bone heal properly.

Surgery

If you have a severe fracture, Dr. Belongie may recommend surgery to fully restore damaged tissues and improve their functioning. If needed, he uses metal pins, rods, or other devices to hold affected bones in place.

At the first sign of a fracture, call Belongie Orthopedics or use the online booking feature today.