Overview
Managing back pain due to back or hip injuries and fractures needs thorough assessment, diagnosis and immediate treatment. Having your back and bones thoroughly analyzed by a qualified medical professional is essential to increasing your chances of living a more normal life. The manner in which a doctor treats fracture-related back pain will be based on his evaluation of the type or mode of fracture incurred by the patient.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, patients aging 65 years or older are more prone to fractures, particularly hip, spine or back fractures. By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture is said to increase by 310% in men and 240% in women. Aside from osteoporosis, age, falls and injuries due to certain activities, bone disease, and post-operative conditions cause hip fracture and hip injuries causing back pain.
Who are At Risk?
Everyone is at risk of incurring fractures. However, people suffer increased risks with conditions like old age, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, type 2 diabetes patients and other diseases that make the bone porous, brittle and highly permeable. Unfortunately, falls and hip injuries are common on frail elderly patients, making hip fracture rehabilitation a primary concern. Elderly and other people like athletes and workers who are prone or highly likely to incur hip injuries must establish an ongoing communication with a qualified medical doctor or orthopedic surgeon.
Types and Modes of Fractures
There are several types of fractures, which doctors consider before diagnosis is set:
* Comminuted fracture - is the condition where the bones fragment into several pieces.
* Oblique fracture - the bone breaks acquired a curved or sloping pattern.
* Impacted fracture - otherwise known as the buckle fracture, this is the type of fracture whose ends are driven into each other.
* Transverse fracture - the type of fracture forming a right angle to the bone's axis.
* Greenstick fracture - occurs when the bone is just bent and not fully broken.
* Other types of fracture include pathologic, compressed, avulsion, depressed, and spiral.
Modes of Hip Fractures
Only a few types of fractures are associated with hip injuries, which cause back pain. With that, several modes of hip fractures and considered to thoroughly evaluate the extent of injury:
* Intertrochanteric hip fracture is the type of fracture that does not involve or cause damage to the blood flow in the bone. It usually does not require hip replacement for treatment.
* Intracapsular hip fracture is the type of bone breakage that occurs within the capsule of the joint.
* Extracapsular hip fracture is the type of fracture that occurs at the articular extremity of the bone, which is outside the line of the attachment of the capsular ligament of the hip joint.
Causes of Fractures
Bone fracture can happen to anyone. It is typically caused by various types of trauma on the bone. Bone trauma may result from accidental falls, motor vehicle accidents or a disease that weakens the bone. Hence, hip and back injury, bone fracture may cause back pain, swelling, bruising and internal bleeding.
Assessment of Fracture Risks and Fracture Damage
The risks of getting fractures can be assessed by performing tests and evaluations on bone density, current medications taken, medical conditions, medical history or personal history, and lifestyle or work factors.
To assess actual fractures, doctors usually perform hematology tests and x-rays to evaluate and locate the fracture area. X-ray results will guide them in locating the breaks on the bones while hematology tests help them spot the decreases in HCT and Hgb, which indicative the severity of damage incurred. Doctors may assess the condition by evaluating the pain experienced from motion and the tenderness, immobility, deformity, crepitus, ecchymosis, edema and paresthesia or creeping, tingling and pricking sensations observed and experienced on the affected site.
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology is performed to perform further assessment of fractures, determining certain aspects like time and amount of stress applied on the bones, causing it to break. This way, doctors will be able to localize the tissues surrounding the injury and prevent complications like muscle spasms, edema, hemorrhage, ecchymosis, nerve compression and more.
On Back Pain
Pain is rather common with bone fractures or with the disturbance in the permanence of the bone. In addition to the tingling and pricking sensations felt with the injury, the inflammation and other forms of damage caused by the fracture on the surrounding tissues result to pain. Any type of bone fracture must receive immediate treatment to prevent back pain and chronic and often dangerous complications. The pain caused by fractures might be indicative of more serious conditions, which might pose serious health risks.
Tests for Back Pain
Accurate assessment and proper management of fractures are essential to relieving back pain. Since back pain is a common complication of fractures, diagnostic tests may be performed to effectively manage pain. Initially, patients will be put under physical examination where general inspection of posture, level of distress and range of movement causing back palpitation and pain will be performed.
Plan of Management
Rehabilitative exercises and proper diet and the two things involved in managing fractures and back pain. Performing stretching, ROM and isometric exercises are also helpful in minimizing back pain and gradually increasing movement over the affected area. Pay attention to your routine to prevent further bone damage. In general, a well-balanced diet and vitamin supplementation are important in getting adequate nutrition.
Prevention
Pay attention to your fitness and training routine. Make sure that you do proper warm ups and stretching before going over your reps. To prevent progressive bone loss or degradation, which increase the risk of fractures, taking preventive regimens like vitamin D, calcium and biphosphonate supplements is advised. People who have higher risks of getting hip fracture or hip injury must undergo a muscle strengthening and balance training program. This is particularly helpful to older people. Wearing hip protectors with force-diverting and force-absorbing padding makes a fine investment among the elderly.
Warning
Any type or mode of fracture demands immediate medical attention. Similarly, consulting your doctor when you experience back pain is essential in accurately determining its cause. Once you experience back pain that spreads down the legs, accompanied with numbness and tingling sensations, consult your doctor. These are common red flags of possibly more serious conditions or complications.
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