FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

"Fracture" can be defined as a structural discontinuity of the bone, which can be complete or incomplete. The removal of the head of a bone from its corresponding articular cavity is termed as dislocation  or luxation. A fall or an unnatural overstretching or over  straining of a part usually results in a broken or a dislocated bone. Women with osteoporosis are prone to develop frequent fractures even without a bad fall, since the bones are already weak. The patient will complain of intense pain in the area with restriction of movements and a lot of swelling, alteration in the shape, length and direction of the limb and occasionally discoloration of the skin overlying the bone because of some ecchymosis. In cases of a fracture, crepitation (i.e. a peculiar grating noise or sensation, is produced by the rubbing together of two broken surfaces of the bone) is a sure sign.

Apply cold water over the part to give relief in the pain and the swelling. The fractured bone should be completely immobilized by at least tying a sling or strapping or bandaging the part and a doctor should be called for immediately and for the time being keep applying ice over the area. In cases of an open wound at the site of the fracture it is necessary to clean the area properly with soap and water and shift the patient to a nearby hospital for suturing and plastering. After plastering the joint, the patient is asked to keep moving his proximal and distal joints actively and frequently to avoid stagnation of fluid at the fracture site and to improve the circulation in the area and prevent any stiffness and muscle wasting.

HOME REMEDIES
1. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and coffee since it can delay the healing of the bones. Increase the intake of beans, eggs, fish, green leafy vegetables, liver, milk and milk products, nuts, peas, red meat, etc.

2. A plaster of hot paste of tamarind (imli) with sesame oil is applied as a fomentation before a fracture is bandaged.

3. A piece of cloth soaked in sesame oil is applied over the fractured  or dislocated bone.