Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Specialists
Strong and resilient, our bones can withstand most forces without injury. However, every bone in the human body is susceptible to a fracture. Bones naturally become less dense and weaken with age. If the pressure applied to a bone is too strong or the bone is weakened, a break or crack in the bone may occur.
Cases where a bone breaks but does not damage the tissue or skin surrounding the break are considered simple or closed fractures. In compound or open fractures, the bone breaks through the skin and requires specialized treatment to heal. In either type of fracture, the broken bone can potentially shift from its natural location and become displaced.
Fracture Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discolored skin surrounding the affected area
- The affected area may be bent at an unnatural angle
- Inability to apply weight on the body part
- Inability to move the affected bone or body part
If think you have suffered a fracture that has not broken skin, call us at (319) 338-3606 to schedule an evaluation or visit SteindlerSTAT Urgent Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
If you have a fracture in which the wound is open, bleeding, or the bone is exposed, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Common Fractures
Greenstick
This is a partial fracture. The bone is fractured to some extent but is not broken into two pieces.
Transverse
The break is in a relatively clean line across the bone.
Oblique
A diagonal break across the bone.
Spiral
A break that spirals around the bone.
Segmental
The bone is fractured in two places. This creates a “floating” segment of bone that is not attached.
Comminuted
The bone is broken in three or more places, creating fragments of bone.
Appointment Resources
Once you have scheduled your appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists, please use the links below to obtain our new patient forms and browse through our tips and suggestions on preparing for your appointment.
