Long Term Complications of Fractures

A fracture is an injury resulting from a break in a bone. Typically, most fractures usually take between 6 and 8 weeks to heal with proper treatment. However, the age and health status of the patient, and the severity and location of the injury may affect the healing period.

When a fracture happens, other tissues of the musculoskeletal system including muscles, ligaments, and tendons may also be damaged. The level of damage done to the bone, its surrounding muscles, and ligaments will also affect the time the fracture takes to heal. If left untreated, a fracture injury may become more painful, get worse and the chances of loss of function may increase. Here are some possible long-term complications of fractures.

1. Damaged nerves

When a bone or group of bones in the body are seriously damaged, damage to the nerves supplying the area of the body may occur if the nerves are crushed, or stretched. This type of impact is typically the result of blunt force trauma.

Damaged nerves may heal on their own, but will typically be unpredictable. Depending on the level of damage done, nerve damage can take weeks, months, or even years to heal. Regrettably, some damaged nerves may never heal completely, thereby leading to a lifelong impact.

Abnormal sensations around the injured part may be due to nerve damage.

2. Declined strength and increased discomfort

It’s quite common to experience decreased strength around the fractured area. This can have a long-lasting impact on your general health, and discomfort in the fractured area may persist even after healing has occurred. Older people that generally have poorer balance, decreased overall strength and less flexibility may be more affected.

3. Joint problems

Even though fractures directly affect bones, the injury may also cause damage to the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and joints. Fractures that damage the cartilages at the ends of bones, where they form joints, may lead to osteoarthritis.

In the end, you may encounter stiffness in the joints, and a limited range of motion. Shoulder, kneel and ankle joints are most commonly affected.

4. Anxiety and depression

Physical trauma may also cause psychological and mental trauma. Subject to the seriousness of the fracture and its impact on your life, it’s possible to experience different ranges of psychological disorders.

Some of these include anxiety, stress, depression, and frequent nightmares. Disregarding these conditions may have some major impact on your general health.

5. Lack of ability to participate in certain activities

Subject to the level and gravity of the fracture, you may lose your ability to partake in some physical activities, even those that you’ve always done, before the injury. While this doesn’t always happen, the amount of damage done to the surrounding areas is what will determine this.

Fractures are typically regarded as minor injuries because they have a high chance of healing fast when properly treated. However, when it becomes severe or left untreated, it can have a long-term impact on your health and general wellbeing. With stem cell therapy you can drastically reduce the chances of long-term complications of a fracture.

If you have suffered from a bone fracture recently, please contact us at R3Stemcell for consultation on stem cell therapy in Phoenix, Arizona.