What are the symptoms of a bone fracture?

Bone fractures are very common in life. The causes can be divided into physical reasons and external forces. Bone fractures can occur due to lack of vitamin D in the body or accidents caused by intense exercise. The symptoms of a bone fracture are usually obvious and painful.

1. Systemic symptoms of bone fracture

The body temperature of patients with fractures generally does not change. In those with severe injuries, the body temperature may rise due to hematoma absorption, but usually does not exceed 38°C. If the body temperature continues to rise for a long time and exceeds 38°C, it will be accompanied by headache, chills, general discomfort, local swelling, pain and fever.

If the white blood cell count is elevated, infection should be considered. After a fracture, blood exchange and ventilation stagnate. Accompanied by symptoms such as thirst, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, constipation, short and dark urine, and restless sleep. The pulse is often floating, rapid and tight, and the tongue coating is yellow or white. If there is excessive bleeding or the patient is physically weak, symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, a strong or astringent pulse, and a pale red tongue may occur.

2. Local symptoms of bone fracture

1. Local pain and tenderness

However, pain will occur due to local tissue damage or muscle spasm after a bone fracture. There will also be obvious tenderness and longitudinal percussion pain in the affected area.

2. Local swelling, bruises and skin abrasions

After a bone fracture, local blood vessels are damaged, the collaterals are blocked, and swelling may occur. If there is a lot of bleeding at the fracture site and it overflows under the skin, it will form a spot. If the myofascia at the fracture site is intact and bleeding cannot overflow, or if the circulation is obstructed due to compression by the broken ends, the pressure in the myofascial area may continue to increase, affecting the perfusion of arterial blood, thereby causing muscle ischemia and hypoxia. In severe cases, it may lead to muscle necrosis and ischemic muscle contracture.

3. Local dysfunction

After a bone fracture, the internal support of the limb is destroyed, the limb loses its proper leverage, and pain causes muscle reflex spasm, so the limb function may be partially restricted or completely lost. However, greenstick fractures and impacted fractures do not necessarily have obvious functional impairments, and careful examination is required to prevent missed diagnosis.