Fracture Care Specialist
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Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana
Dr. Jeffrey Pearson
Orthopedic Surgeon located in Shreveport, LA & Bossier City, LA
An accident may cause a fracture, or one might develop slowly from excessive stress and bone deterioration. Whatever causes your fracture, Jeffrey Pearson, MD, at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana, can help. Dr. Pearson provides fracture care for all types of broken bones, including comminuted, compound, and periprosthetic fractures. For expert care of your fractured bones, call Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana or book an appointment online today.
Fracture Care Q & A
What is fracture care?
Fracture care is the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of broken bones.
While bones have a slight degree of flexibility, excessive pressure can cause them to crack, snap in two, or shatter. The likelihood of requiring fracture care increases significantly if you have osteoporosis, which affects the density of bones throughout your body.
You have more than 200 bones in your skeleton, any of which could break under enough force. Fractures that Dr. Pearson specializes in treating are those of the:
- Humerus (upper arm)
- Radius and ulna (forearm)
- Femur (thigh)
- Tibia (shin)
- Ankle
Dr. Pearson has considerable expertise in providing care for patients with periprosthetic fractures (breaks or cracks in the bones surrounding the site of a replacement joint). He also treats patients who sustain fractures in falls while playing sports and during auto accidents.
What are the different types of fractures?
Fractures happen in many different ways. Some of the main types of break include:
Stable fractures
Stable fractures are simple breaks where the ends of your bones stay in alignment. As a result, they don't need repositioning like more complex fractures.
Comminuted fractures
Comminuted fractures are those where your bones break into at least three pieces. Severe trauma could cause the bone to shatter into multiple fragments.
Compound fractures
Compound or open fractures are serious injuries with damage to the flesh around the broken bone. You may be able to see the bone because of a deep wound, or the fractured bone may protrude through your skin. Comminuted fractures tend to be especially painful and also carry a high risk of tissue or bone infection.
Stress fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone that develop from overuse or repeated stress, such as running regularly on hard surfaces. The hairline fractures build up over time and cause chronic pain.
What does fracture care involve?
The fracture care you require varies depending on the type of break, its severity, and factors like your age and lifestyle.
All fractures require immobilization to give damaged bones time to heal, typically wearing a brace or cast. Broken bones that are out of alignment need putting back into place first, which may involve manipulating the bones manually or performing surgery to access the bones.
Dr. Pearson may have to use pins, screws, and plates to stabilize your fractured bones. These may be permanent fixtures or temporary support called external fixation. Badly fractured joints may require full or partial replacement, and Dr. Pearson can perform revision joint replacement for periprosthetic fractures.
For all your fracture care needs, call Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana or book an appointment online today.
