What type of injury is breaking a leg?

What type of injury is breaking a leg?

A broken leg (leg fracture) is a break or crack in one of the bones in your leg. Common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. Treatment of a broken leg depends on the location and severity of the injury.

Is breaking a leg a traumatic injury?

The most common cause of a broken leg is traumatic injury. Examples of such injuries include motor vehicle accidents, falls from a distance, and skiing injuries. Signs and symptoms of a broken leg include severe pain that is worsened with movement, swelling, and misalignment or deformity of the leg.

How long do leg breaks take to heal?

Recovering from a broken leg It takes around 6 to 8 weeks for a minor fracture to heal. You’ll probably need to use crutches or a wheelchair during this time, until it’s possible to put weight on the leg again.

What are some serious leg injuries?

Types of Leg Injuries

• Fracture. This is the medical name for a broken bone.
• Dislocation. This happens when a bone is pulled out of its joint.
• Sprains. Sprains are stretches and tears of ligaments.
• Strains.
• Muscle Overuse.
• Muscle Bruise from a direct blow.
• Bone Bruise from a direct blow (like on the hip).
• Skin Injury.

Is a broken leg a serious injury?

A broken leg is a serious injury. While most broken legs heal with a cast or a brace, you may need surgery to reset or repair the bone before it can be immobilized. Left untreated, a leg fracture may not heal properly causing such complications as malformation of the bone, nerve injury, or tissue damage.

Can a broken leg heal on its own?

Bones are very flexible and can withstand a lot of physical force. However, if the force is too great, bones can break. A broken bone or fracture can repair itself, provided that the conditions are right for the break to heal completely.

Can you walk on a broken leg?

Sometimes, a really bad complete fracture will not be able to carry weight or otherwise function properly. Most of the time, however, fractures can indeed support weight. The patient can probably even walk on a broken leg—it just hurts like the dickens.

How do you treat a broken leg at home?

Treating a broken leg at home

1. Keep your leg as still as possible until help arrives.
2. Rest.
3. Put an ice pack wrapped in a pillowcase or towel on your leg to ease swelling.
4. If possible, keep your leg raised with pillows or cushions to reduce swelling.
5. Often with a broken leg, surgery is necessary.

What are the 3 most common broken bones?

7 Most Common Bone Fractures

• Collarbone Fracture. The collarbone, or clavicle, is one of the most frequently broken bones.
• Wrist Fracture. If you fall, you’re likely to catch yourself by putting out your hands.
• Ankle Fracture.
• Vertebral Fracture.
• Hip Fracture.
• Forearm Fracture.
• Shinbone Fracture.

Are tibia hard to break?

The tibia, or shinbone, is the most commonly fractured long bone in the body. A tibial shaft fracture occurs along the length of the bone, below the knee and above the ankle. It typically takes a major force to cause this type of broken leg.

What are the side effects of a broken leg?

Complications of a broken leg may include: Knee or ankle pain. A broken bone in your leg may produce pain in your knee or ankle. Poor or delayed healing. A severe leg fracture may not heal quickly or completely. This is particularly common in an open fracture of your tibia because of lower blood flow to this bone. Bone infection (osteomyelitis).

What’s the most common cause of a broken leg?

Common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. Treatment of a broken leg depends on the location and severity of the injury. A severely broken leg may require surgery to implant devices into the broken bone to maintain proper alignment during healing. Other injuries may be treated with a cast or splint.

What’s the best way to treat a broken leg?

Treatment of a broken leg depends on the location and severity of the injury. A severely broken leg may require surgery to implant devices into the broken bone to maintain proper alignment during healing. Other injuries may be treated with a cast or splint.

Can a fall cause a lower leg bone to break?

A simple fall can fracture one or both of the lower leg bones. However, the thighbone is unlikely to be broken without more significant trauma. Motor vehicle accidents. All three leg bones can break during a motor vehicle accident. Fractures can occur when your knees become jammed against the dashboard during a collision. Sports injuries.