Strained, Sprained, or Broken Bone? Injury Treatment in Fort Collins

When an injury or accident happens, you are faced with pain, swelling, and limited movement. You could also be wondering how serious it is and if medical care is needed to determine whether it is strained, sprained or broken. When faced with those questions, quick and prompt answers by our experienced team of medical providers at AFC Urgent Care Fort Collins will get you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

While all strains, sprains, and breaks are painful, some are more so than others. It is also important to understand that “toughing it out” and delaying medical care, even with injuries that are not intensely painful, can often lead to long term damage or cause other issues to develop over time.

It is important to know answers to some of the most common questions about these types of injuries before accidents happen.

Broken Bones: Do All Require a Cast?

In most cases, yes, a break or fracture needs to be casted to heal properly, since they involve a bone that has broken apart and is in 2 or more pieces. In rare cases, a break or fracture may not have to be casted and can heal with rest and time. It is important to note, though, that there are several different types of fractures and levels of severity.

Incomplete Fractures

Incomplete fractures only partially break through the bone and consist of mainly two types. A buckle fracture which bends one side of the bone without breaking the other side, and a greenstick fracture where one side of the bone is broken, but the other side is bent.

Another type of incomplete fractures are hairline fractures (also known as stress fractures). Hairline fractures are tiny cracks in a bone, caused by repeated stress or movements, and can happen relatively easily because they develop gradually. The tiny cracks can be quite painful and are commonly seen in athletes and those who engage in high-impact activities like running, dancing, or jumping. Over time, repetitive stress without enough time to heal can lead to these small cracks, causing pain and discomfort.

Complete Fractures

Complete fractures break through the bone, and there are several complete fractures:

• A closed fracture is a broken bone that does not penetrate the skin.
• An open or compound fracture happens when the break does puncture the skin.
• A non-displaced fracture happens when the pieces on each side of the break line up, and a displaced fracture is when they do not. A displaced fracture usually requires surgery to ensure complete healing.
• Segmental and comminuted fractures are fractures that are in multiple pieces, and these two also require surgery.

All fractures should be accessed by a medical provider at AFC Fort Collins, and the first step in identifying what type of break you suffered will be through a digital X-Ray image. If needed and recommended by your medical provider, further testing including a CT scan or MRI may be required. When fractures are not healed correctly, they can lead to further fractures or breaks.

How Do I Know if I Broke My Collarbone?

Pain is the body’s first indicator that your body is in trouble. When it comes to your collarbone, some of the key indicators of a collarbone break are:

• Restrictive movement or pain that increases with movement.
• Swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
• A bulge or grinding sound when moving.

Sprain vs. Strain: How to Tell the Difference?

While they sound very similar and are both equally painful, a sprain is very different from a strain.

A sprain is a stretch or tear in the tissue that connects bones together at the joints. When an ankle rolls to the outside and the ligaments around the outside ankle bone (the fibula) are stretched or torn, it is a sprain.

A strain is when the muscle or tendon is stretched or torn. When an athlete kicks a ball, a hamstring tear is a relatively common injury, especially when the proper stretching has not been done.

The recovery from both sprains and strains requires rest, ice, compression, and elevation (also known as the R.I.C.E. method). You should see a medical provider if swelling has not gone down in 48 hours.

What About Tendonitis?

Sprains and strains cause pain, stiffness, and make it hard to move the joint. Another condition that causes similar symptoms and is very easy to confuse with sprains and strains in tendonitis.

Tendonitis is an inflammation in the tendon that connects bone to muscle. It is a common diagnosis in individuals who perform repetitive, frequent use of a certain muscle causing it to inflame. It is important to visit AFC Urgent Care Fort Collins for assessment when suffering from tendonitis pain, as your medical provider may recommend physical therapy where trained professionals can correct form and strengthen necessary muscles to prevent tendonitis from happening in the future.

Treatment at AFC Fort Collins

At AFC Urgent Care Fort Collins, we treat life’s daily injuries. We are equipped with a state-of-the-art digital x-ray on-site, and our clinic is stocked with high-quality Durable Medical Equipment, including braces, boots, and splints.

With 7-day availability, extended hours, and an experienced medical team, we make it easier to get the answers and treatment you need. Walk in or schedule your advance visit online at AFC Fort Collins today.