An open fracture is a severe condition in which the bone breaks and comes out of the skin. It is a type of serious injury that demands immediate medical attention. open fractures always require surgical intervention for that treatment. This is because the fracture that occurs in such cases is displaced and it needs to be realigned using orthopedic implants and instruments. 

In this article, we will see some facts about open fractures along with the diagnosis and treatment. 

Open Fractures – An Introduction

Also known as compound fractures, open fractures are when there is an open wound along with a broken bone. The wound in the case of open fractures can be big or small depending on the cause and the severity of the fracture. 

Open fractures can be of two types i.e., in-to-out and out-to-in. 

In-to-out fractures are those in which the bone breaks and move out of the skin from the inside. Such injuries occur because of high-energy car or bike accidents and falling from a significant height. While on the other hand, if we talk about “out-to-in” fractures, then they occur when something pierces the skin from the outside. One example of out-to-in fractures is a ballistic injury like gunshots. 

What Are the Causes of Open Fractures?

Severe impact on a limb is the commonest cause of open fractures and such cases occur because of automobile injuries and when there is a direct impact from a solid and heavy object. In some cases, twisting of a joint may also result in open fractures. 

Besides all this, falling from a significant height and firearm injuries also cause open fractures. 

What Are the Complications that Occur with Open Fractures?

Several complications are associated with open fractures including:

Infection

The risk of infection associated with open fractures is very high. This is because when open fractures occur, there are the highest chances of bacteria entering the bloodstream. This could sometimes lead to severe infections and may also result in amputation of the fractured limb. In the most severe cases, death may occur. 

 Soft Tissue Injury

Soft tissue injury is common in open fractures as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the fractured bone get injured. The severity of the injury depends on the cause. 

Neurovascular Injury

As a result of limb deformity, nerves or vessels may get compressed and this can affect blood supply and numbness in the affected areas.

What is the Treatment for Open Fractures?

Open fractures are severe orthopedic injuries that require surgery along with immediate medical assessment for treatment. Delayed treatment may result in severe complications. The first line of treatment for open fractures is to prevent infection. This is done by giving the appropriate antibiotic. 

After this, the orthopedic surgeon will perform internal fixation using orthopedic plates, rods, pins, screws to realign the fractured bone and allow it to heal. Sometimes, internal fixation is not feasible hence, external fixation is recommended. 

For a CE-certified range of trauma implants and instruments, contact Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd., a renowned orthopedic device manufacturer in India. The company also exhibits at various medical conferences and FIME Medical Equipment Exhibition is one of them. At FIME 2023, Siora will be exhibiting at booth G41.