Causes
The individual therapy for an existing bone fragment varies greatly. In principle, this depends on the structures involved and the size of the fragment. In general, a distinction can be made between surgical and conservative therapy.
The conservative therapy usually includes the administration of painkillers and a stabilization of the affected bone. How strong the stabilization should be depends on the size of the fragment and the affected body part. Bones that are subject to heavy everyday stress should usually be given strong stabilization.
External stabilization can be achieved by applying a plaster cast or wearing a splint. A plaster cast is often applied, especially if the bone is completely broken in addition to the bone splintering. On the other hand, the bone splinter is treated by surgery.
This may be necessary if the bone splinter lies in an unfavorable position and would not re-grow with the rest of the bone by itself or if the splinter is very large. If there is an impairment of important vessels or nerves, surgery is also indicated. Depending on the location and size of the splinter, different surgical techniques may be considered.
For very small fragments, simple removal may be appropriate, whereas larger pieces of bone are usually reconnected to the bone. The treating physician can best assess the individual therapy if a comprehensive diagnosis of the affected area has been made. On the basis of the images produced, an assessment of the severity and the impaired structures can be made and, with this information, an individual therapy plan can be drawn up, which usually leads to a painless healing of the injury.
Bone splinters usually occur in the context of a larger injury with an external force. In addition to the bone splinter, other injuries are therefore often the focus of attention. Comprehensive diagnostics are therefore necessary to obtain an overview of the individual situation of the person affected.
The diagnosis usually begins with a doctor-patient consultation. In the case of major injuries, this is naturally shorter and, if the person affected is not conscious, may have to be replaced by a conversation with a relative or another person present. This is followed by a physical examination.
If a complete bone fracture is present, it can often be diagnosed during the physical examination. However, a bone fracture cannot usually be palpated, so imaging equipment is used after severe injuries. In addition to making a diagnosis, these also help to develop a suitable therapy plan for the affected person.
Depending on the location and extent of the injury, different diagnostic devices are used. The standard procedure for bone injuries is to take an X-ray. In order to be able to assess the extent of the injury, this is usually performed in two steps.
If the images produced by an X-ray are not sufficient or if the injury is severe and also affects the head, a computed tomography is usually performed. In this case all bones of the body can be shown in all planes with the help of X-ray technology. In order to be able to assess soft tissue such as nerves and vessels, magnetic resonance imaging must be performed. This may be necessary especially in the case of bone splinters, for example to detect any impairment of other structures caused by the splinter.
