Fracture Care

Emergency Fracture Care is Available at Providence Medical Center.

A fracture is a broken bone. A bone may be completely broken or partially broken in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces).

The severity of the fracture usually depends on the force that caused the break. The bone may just crack if its breaking point has been exceeded only slightly. But if the force is extreme, from say a car accident, the bone may shatter.

The most common way to evaluate a fracture is with X-rays, which provide clear images of the bone. Your doctor will likely use an X-ray to verify the diagnosis. X-rays can show whether a bone is intact or broken. They can also show the type of fracture and exactly where it is located within the bone.

Doctors use a variety of treatments to mend fractures including plaster or fiberglass casts, braces and surgeries designed to stabilize the fractures, sometimes using metal plates or rods. The type of treatment your doctor selects will depend on the extent and severity of the fracture.

If you or someone you know thinks you have a broken bone, call 911 or get to an emergency room immediately. At Providence Medical Center, a member of our Emergency Services Department will see you initially to determine the extent of the injury and will likely order an X-ray to evaluate the fracture. One of our orthopedic surgeons will recommend the appropriate treatment, as well as any follow-up rehabilitation that may be necessary.