Broken Bones and Fractures Specialist in Easley, SC

At AFC Urgent Care we understand that with broken bones and fractures comes a certain level of pain and discomfort. This is why our team of professionals offer treatments and solutions to help get you back to feeling like yourself. Call today or schedule an appointment online. Healing starts here!

Fractures are a common injury, experienced by millions of people every year. Thankfully, doctors have much experience dealing with broken bones, and can treat them quickly and effectively. Typically, it takes a broken bone several weeks to repair itself, although some can take even longer.

Is a fractured bone considered a broken bone?

Truth be told, there is no difference between a fracture and a broken bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity, whether it’s a hairline crack barely recognizable on an x-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces, it’s considered a fracture.

Doctors diagnose different types of fractures by the shape of the break. They include:

• Stable fracture – This is the mildest form of fracture in which the broken ends of a bone line up and are hardly out of place, so it heals easily.
• Incomplete or partial fracture – This is a crack that does not completely break the bone into two or more pieces.
• Complete fracture – This is a fracture in which the bone is completely broken into separate pieces.
• Greenstick fracture – This is an incomplete fracture in which the bone is partially broken, partially bent; it is more common in children.
• Transverse fracture – This is a broken bone that has a relatively straight, horizontal fracture line.
• Oblique fracture – Unlike a transverse fracture, this type of break has an angled pattern.
• Comminuted fracture – This refers to a fracture in which the bone shatters into three or more pieces.
• Simple or closed fracture – This is a fracture in which the bone fragments do not penetrate the skin.
• Open or compound fracture – This is a more severe break in which the broken bone breaks through or into the skin.

Can I go to urgent care for a broken bone?

Urgent care professionals are there to help when a patient comes in with any type of injury, including broken bones. Depending on the type of fracture or break received, there may be only so much they can do. Different types of fractures need different levels of care. In some cases, it is hard for the patient to determine whether or not a bone is even broken. That is what the doctor and his highly trained medical staff are there for.

A dislocated joint can be extremely painful but is not considered to be “broken." Swelling and inflammation can make it difficult for someone with little experience to be able to tell the difference. Professionals trained in providing after-hours care are available to help when regular doctors’ offices are closed. They can examine an injury and take x-rays to determine the extent of the injury.

How long will it take to heal my broken bone?

The amount of time it takes for a broken bone to heal is amazing. Children’s bones have an amazing ability to heal as well. To fully heal a bone takes some time but new bone forms within a few weeks of the injury.

When the bone was broken, your child’s arm was probably put in a cast or splint. In order to hold the bone in place for it to heal properly, casts and splints will be applied. Poor hygiene can lead to skin irritation so be sure to take care of the cast or splint so that it stays in good condition.

Most breaks heal well. Patients with broken bones usually are back to all the activities they enjoyed before the broken bone within a few months of the break.

Fractures are a common injury, but the prognosis depends upon the location of the break, the bone that is broken, the underlying medical condition of the individual, and whether any complications exist. The goal of healing any broken bone is to have the patient return to normal duties, active lifestyle, and same level of exercise as before.

If you or someone you know has a broken bone, do not hesitate to contact AFC Urgent Care today! We have a team of professional staff who are experienced in treating fractures, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands! To book an appointment, call us or visit us online!