Bone Fracture

A fracture – colloquially called a bone fracture – (Latin frangere, fractum; to break, to break) (synonyms: Fractura; ICD-10-GM S92: Fracture of the foot [except upper ankle]; ICD-10-GM S82: Fracture of the lower leg, including upper ankle; ICD-10-GM S72: Fracture of the femur; ICD-10-GM S62: Fracture in the wrist and hand; ICD-10-GM S52.-: Fracture of the forearm; ICD-10-GM S42.-: Fracture in the region of the shoulder and upper arm; ICD-10-GM S32.-: Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis; ICD-10-GM S22.-: Fracture of rib(s), sternum, and thoracic spine; ICD-10-GM S12.-: Fracture of neck; ICD-10-GM S02.-: Fracture of the skull and facial cranial bones) refers to the interruption of continuity of a bone with the formation of bone fragments. A fracture occurs as a result of direct force in adequate trauma, inadequate trauma when the bone tissue is pre-damaged, and as a result of repeated microtrauma in the sense of a fatigue fracture.

Frequency peak: The frequency of falls and thus the risk of fracture increases with age. A 70-year-old has a three times higher risk of fracture than a 20-year-old. Bone mass decreases from middle age. Women are already affected after menopause (menopause) due to the decrease in estrogens. Estrogens affect bone strength.

Course and prognosis: The treatment of the fracture depends on the location of the fracture, the extent of the injury and the general condition of the patient. As a rule, bone fractures heal without complications. It can happen that a fracture slips in the plaster, then it must be straightened again or operated. Immobilization in a cast over a longer period of time increases the risk of thrombosis, so that thrombosis prophylaxis is standard nowadays. Open fractures are at risk of osteomyelitis (bone marrow inflammation). Children’s bones heal faster than adult bones because they are even more elastic and pliable. They usually heal with immobilization alone.