Anatomy and Physiology: Treatments for Broken Bones

An X ray in order to confirm that the bone is broken, find the exact location of the bone fracture and to determine how out of place the bone is.  Treatment for broken bones make sure that the pieces of the bone is put back into its original position and is aligned properly.  This way, the bone will have its original/natural shape after it heals.Sometimes, the pieces of the bone can be moved back into its original position through the skin by using anesthetic, but other times, an operation is needed to open the injury site.  When a broken bone is treated through the skin,it needs to be secured in its position with pins to a frame.  The pins and frame are removed after the injury heals.  When a broken bone is treated through an operation, the bone is secured in these ways: 


1) pins

The pin is inserted into the bone to hold the pieces together  so that the bone can heal properly.  (This picture was taken from this site: http://www.inion.com/patienteducation/Orthopaedics/en_GB/Patient_education_Hand/)

2) screws

This picture shows screws that are securing the two fragments of a bone with an oblique fracture.  (This picture came from this site: http://aofoundation.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hng7BARydDRwN39yBTAyMvLwOLUA93I4MQE_2CbEdFAF3RnT4!/?contentUrl=%2Fsrg%2F78%2F05-RedFix%2F18-ProxPhlx-Oblq-LgScrw%2F03-Decision.enl.jsp&soloState=lb&bone=Hand&segment=Phalanges&showPage=redfix&classification=78-14-Metaphyseal-oblique-%2F-spiral-fractures&treatment=Operative&method=Proximal%20phalanx%20-%20Distal&implantstype=Lag%20screw%20fixation&approach=&redfix_url=1285238719398&step=3&subStep=11)

3) metal plate

Like the previous two treatments, a metal plate can also be used to hold the broken pieces of bone together and the bone may also be kept stable by an external fixation., as shown in the picture.  (This picture came from this site: http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/WristFractures.aspx)