A medical professional based in Middletown, Maryland, Dr. Robert VandenBosche is a primary care physician with Seton Medical Group, a part of Saint Agnes Hospital/Ascension. Over the course of more than 20 years as an MD, Dr. Robert VandenBosche has treated a large number of conditions that require immediate care, including broken bones.
When someone in your household falls or suffers a blow, it can be difficult to assess if a trip to an immediate care center or emergency room is necessary. When a patient’s bone is broken, several symptoms may be manifested:
-Swelling or bruising
-Significant pain that becomes worse with movement or pressure
-An inability to bear weight
-Loss of function
-Deformity
If any of these symptoms are present, the patient should immediately seek medical intervention for formal diagnosis and treatment.
To determine if a bone is fractured, an X-ray must be performed. Doctors can then reset the bone into its proper place. This process can take place without surgery in a closed reduction procedure. Sometimes, however, the fracture requires surgery to restore the bone to its intended position. In an open reduction procedure, while a patient is under general anesthesia, a physician will use pins, plates, or screws to join the bone.
When a patient suffers a fracture, a doctor will usually recommend a splint or cast to immobilize the injured bone while it heals. Pain medications can help with pain management. The length of time casts or splints must be worn varies depending on the bone fractured and the severity of the break.
