Medical professionals update 3

[Wendy1985]

Is there a difference between a break and a fracture

It is a debate going on my house about that

Went to urgent care and was given just a walking boot thank goodness and refers to a orthopedist

But every time my mom and I say I broke a bone in my foot my step mom corrects us and says it is just a fracture

I don’t trust google but google says it is the same thing

My question is is there a difference between a break and a fracture

 

[nw6675]

There are different kinds of breaks/fractures, but the terms are used interchangeably.

 

[focusondisney]

 

[luv2cheer92]

No difference, they are used interchangeably in the medical world.
(Well, technically, all just referred to as fractures, but all the same, just varying degrees/types)

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not a medical person, but I think perhaps your MIL is thinking "hairline fracture", which is still a broken bone, but is essentially only a thin crack, so it heals fairly quickly for most people. Lots of non-medical people like to think of a hairline fracture as not really a broken bone, but yeah, it is, just not a very badly broken bone.

If you've ever had your small child get a "toddler's fracture" you will be in no doubt that a fracture is a broken bone.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

From what I understand, a fracture is a splintering of the bone with no total break; a full break is where the bone fully snaps.

 

[luv2cheer92]

From what I understand, a fracture is a splintering of the bone with no total break; a full break is where the bone fully snaps.

This is incorrect. A full break is also a fracture. They mean the same thing, there are just different types and grades.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

This is incorrect. A full break is also a fracture. They mean the same thing, there are just different types and grades.

My apologies. I was entirely going on what I had gleaned (second hand) from hospital visits. I've had numerous greenstick fractures but never a full break - thankfully. I DO know however that there is a term for a break whereby the bone protrudes from the skin - I just can't recall what it is. It is, however, serious thanks to the high probability of infection if left untreated.

https://www.healthline.com/ - You may have heard people talk about bone fractures and breaks. The terms are actually interchangeable...

 

[Wendy1985]

unofficially I was told can't go back to the gym for 10 weeks

 

[luv2cheer92]

My apologies. I was entirely going on what I had gleaned (second hand) from hospital visits. I've had numerous greenstick fractures but never a full break - thankfully. I DO know however that there is a term for a break whereby the bone protrudes from the skin - I just can't recall what it is. It is, however, serious thanks to the high probability of infection if left untreated.

Open fracture (vs a closed fracture)

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Open fracture (vs a closed fracture)

OK cool

 

[DCLMP]

There’s open fractures, closed fractures, stress fractures, insufficiency fractures, hairline fractures etc etc. The word break would be more of a layman’s term for a fracture.

 

[DCLMP]

From what I understand, a fracture is a splintering of the bone with no total break; a full break is where the bone fully snaps.

That would be a complete fracture.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Do we have any practicing doctors here who can clear this up? I have no idea what the solution is to your practicing RESUS professional.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Do we have any practicing doctors here who can clear this up? I have no idea what the solution is to your practicing RESUS professional.

I am a DPT, what I said is correct (and above). That is the terminology used by all medical professionals, and what is used on all of our medical coding.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I am a DPT, what I said is correct (and above). That is the terminology used by all medical professionals, and what is used on all of our medical coding.

Excellent, good to hear it from the horses' mouth (in a manner of speaking!)

 

[HopperFan]

Is there a difference between a break and a fracture

It is a debate going on my house about that

Went to urgent care and was given just a walking boot thank goodness and refers to a orthopedist

But every time my mom and I say I broke a bone in my foot my step mom corrects us and says it is just a fracture

I don’t trust google but google says it is the same thing

My question is is there a difference between a break and a fracture

"Just a fracture" ??

I really wish all medical professionals were very clear when speaking to patients and if you aren't happy get another opinion.

DH fell off a ladder in January and saw several different doctors. The term varied and so did the care ... the urgent care doctor played it down, gave him a boot and crutches. No referral. Pain was extreme. DS's GF is doctor and she said "I don't mess with my limbs I might want to use later." So first thing Monday called orthopedic and they got him right him. Ended up over 8 weeks in hard boot, another month in soft boot. Minimal PT.

The final orthopedic (and long care provider) called it a "bone fracture" aka the medical term for broken bone. Same thing. The difference comes from the type of break .... and then you have open & closed, displaced & non-displaced, location and cause.

DS is a coach and deals with lots of stress fractures (cause) and other fractures on his team as well. Get care and follow the doctor orders ... you'll need that leg/foot a long time.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Feel better!

Heads up, those stupid boots/air casts can wreck knees and hips by twisting everything else out of whack so be very careful.

 

[DCLMP]

"Just a fracture" ??

I really wish all medical professionals were very clear when speaking to patients and if you aren't happy get another opinion.

DH fell off a ladder in January and saw several different doctors. The term varied and so did the care ... the urgent care doctor played it down, gave him a boot and crutches. No referral. Pain was extreme. DS's GF is doctor and she said "I don't mess with my limbs I might want to use later." So first thing Monday called orthopedic and they got him right him. Ended up over 8 weeks in hard boot, another month in soft boot. Minimal PT.

The final orthopedic (and long care provider) called it a "bone fracture" aka the medical term for broken bone. Same thing. The difference comes from the type of break .... and then you have open & closed, displaced & non-displaced, location and cause.

DS is a coach and deals with lots of stress fractures (cause) and other fractures on his team as well. Get care and follow the doctor orders ... you'll need that leg/foot a long time.

I second getting second and third opinions. Trust me on this.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

This is incorrect. A full break is also a fracture. They mean the same thing, there are just different types and grades.