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Fracture: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Fractures are one of the most common reasons people seek orthopedic care after an injury or accident. This guide explains what a fracture means, what causes it, how it presents, how its location and severity affect treatment, and when it needs immediate medical attention.
A fracture is a crack or break in a bone, usually caused by a fall, accident, sports injury or weak bones. Common signs are sharp pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty using the limb. Treatment ranges from a plaster or splint to surgery, decided after an X-ray and a proper orthopaedic examination.
Understanding the Condition
What Is a Fracture? A Simple Explanation from Dr. Ketaki Mohite
A fracture is any break in a bone. It can be a thin crack that barely shows on an X-ray or a complete break where the bone separates into two or more pieces. “Broken bone” and “fracture” mean the same thing.
Bone is living tissue. After a break, the body builds new bone around the damaged area and slowly joins the ends. The role of the orthopaedic doctor is to make sure the bone sits in the right position and stays still long enough for that repair to finish.
At Orthopedic Clinic in Erandwane, Pune, Orthopedic Doctor Dr. Ketaki Mohite assesses fractures of the upper limb, lower limb, ribs and spine and plans the treatment for each. The full list of cases is in the section on fracture cases below.
Common Causes
What Causes a Fracture? Common Reasons Seen by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
A bone breaks when the force on it is more than it can take. That force may be sudden and strong or small and repeated over time.
| Cause | How it leads to a fracture | Bones often involved |
|---|---|---|
| Falls | Slipping on wet floors, missing a step or falling on an outstretched hand | Wrist, hip, ankle, collarbone |
| Road accidents | High-speed impact, common with two-wheeler skids | Leg bones, forearm, collarbone, ribs |
| Sports and exercise | Twisting, collision or landing badly | Ankle, fingers, collarbone, forearm |
| Weak bones (osteoporosis) | Bone breaks with a minor fall or even a cough or lift | Hip, spine, wrist |
| Repeated stress | Tiny cracks build up from running, marching or long standing | Foot, shin, heel |
| Children at play | Falls from bicycles, playground equipment or stairs | Forearm, elbow, collarbone |
Symptoms
Fracture Symptoms: When Dr. Ketaki Mohite Advises an Examination
Symptoms depend on the bone and the type of break. These are the signs to watch for:
- Sharp pain that gets worse when you move or press on the area
- Swelling and bruising around the injury
- Deformity, where the limb looks bent, shortened or at an odd angle
- Loss of function, such as being unable to lift the arm or put weight on the leg
- Grinding or clicking at the injury site
- Numbness or tingling below the injury
- A dull ache that builds with activity and eases with rest, which can point to a stress (hairline) fracture
Types of Fracture
Types of Fracture Explained by Orthopedic Doctor in Erandwane Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Doctors describe a fracture by how the bone broke and what happened to the skin around it. The type decides the treatment.
| Type of fracture | What it means | Usual treatment option |
|---|---|---|
| Closed (simple) fracture | The bone breaks but the skin stays intact | Plaster or splint if stable. Surgery if displaced or unstable |
| Open (compound) fracture | The bone breaks the skin or a wound reaches the bone. This needs urgent treatment because of the infection risk | Wound cleaning, antibiotics and usually surgery to fix the bone |
| Hairline (stress) fracture | A thin crack, often from repeated load on the bone | Rest, protected walking with a boot or brace and correcting the cause |
| Greenstick fracture | The bone bends and cracks on one side, mostly seen in children | Plaster cast, usually without surgery |
| Transverse, oblique or spiral fracture | Describes the direction of the break line: straight across, slanted or twisting | Plaster if stable. Plate or rod if unstable |
| Comminuted fracture | The bone breaks into three or more pieces | Often surgery with a plate, rod or screws |
| Displaced fracture | The broken ends have moved out of line. An undisplaced fracture has stayed in position | Realignment (reduction), then plaster or surgical fixation |
| Impacted fracture | The broken ends are driven into each other | Often stable, so a plaster or sling is enough |
| Pathological (fragility) fracture | A bone weakened by osteoporosis, infection or a growth breaks with little force | Fracture treatment plus treating the underlying cause, such as osteoporosis |
Fracture Cases
Fracture Cases Handled by Orthopedic Doctor in Erandwane Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Orthopedic Doctor in Erandwane Dr. Ketaki Mohite sees fracture cases from the collarbone to the toes, in children, adults and senior citizens. The tables below list the common cases and the treatment options she may discuss for each. The final choice always depends on your X-rays and examination.
Upper Limb Fracture Cases Treated by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
| Fracture case | Common causes | Treatment options |
|---|---|---|
| Collarbone (clavicle) fracture | Fall on the shoulder, cycling or two-wheeler skid | Sling and rest for most cases. Plate fixation if the bone is badly displaced or shortened |
| Shoulder fracture (upper end of the arm bone) | Fall on the arm or shoulder, mostly in older adults | Sling and early guided movement if stable. Plate, nail or shoulder replacement for complex breaks |
| Upper arm (humerus shaft) fracture | Direct blow or a fall | Functional brace or cast for many cases. Nail or plate if unstable |
| Elbow fracture | Fall on the elbow or an outstretched hand | Splint if undisplaced. Surgery with plates, screws or wires is often needed because the joint is involved |
| Forearm (radius and ulna) fracture | Fall on an outstretched hand, sports injury | Cast for children and some adults. Plates for most adult breaks of both bones |
| Wrist (distal radius) fracture | Fall on an outstretched hand | Cast after realignment. Plate or wires if the bone is unstable |
| Hand, finger and scaphoid fracture | Punch injury, sports, falls | Splint or buddy strapping for stable breaks. Screws or wires for unstable ones. Scaphoid fractures need early X-ray follow-up because they are easily missed |
Lower Limb Fracture Cases Treated by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
| Fracture case | Common causes | Treatment options |
|---|---|---|
| Hip fracture (neck of femur or trochanteric) | Fall at home in older adults, weak bones | Usually surgery with screws, a nail, a plate or a partial or total hip replacement so that the person can stand and walk early |
| Thigh bone (femur shaft) fracture | Road accident, fall from height | Usually surgery with a rod (nail) |
| Knee fracture (kneecap or around the knee) | Direct fall on the knee, dashboard injury | Brace or cast if undisplaced. Wires or screws for a displaced kneecap. Plate for fractures of the shin bone top (tibial plateau) |
| Shin (tibia and fibula) fracture | Road accident, sports injury | Cast if stable. Rod or plate if unstable. Open fractures need urgent treatment |
| Ankle fracture | Twisting injury, slipping on stairs or wet floors | Cast or boot if stable. Plates and screws if the ankle is unstable |
| Foot and toe fracture (including heel and metatarsal) | Heavy object falling, twisting, repeated stress | Boot, cast or buddy taping for most. Surgery for displaced or heel fractures |
Spine, Rib and Special Fracture Cases Seen by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
| Fracture case | Common causes | Treatment options |
|---|---|---|
| Rib fracture | Fall, chest impact, severe cough in weak bones | Pain control and breathing exercises. Tight strapping is no longer advised |
| Spine compression fracture | Minor fall or sudden back pain in people with osteoporosis | Brace, pain control and bone health treatment. Surgery only for selected cases. Weakness, numbness or loss of bladder control needs urgent assessment |
| Stress (hairline) fracture | Running, marching, sudden rise in training | Rest, protected weight-bearing and fixing the training or footwear problem |
| Fractures in children | Playground and sports falls | Casts for most. Growth plate injuries need closer follow-up |
| Fragility fractures in older adults | Low-force falls with osteoporosis | Fracture treatment along with a bone health review and fall-prevention advice |
| Old, delayed or badly healed fractures (malunion or non-union) | Fractures treated late, treated without proper immobilisation or slow to heal | Fresh assessment with X-rays. Revision fixation or bone grafting may be advised |
Diagnosis
How Is a Fracture Diagnosed? The Assessment Process with Dr. Ketaki Mohite
A sprain and a fracture can feel alike, so the diagnosis needs both an examination and imaging. The assessment usually follows these steps:
History
how the injury happened, when it happened, earlier fractures, current medicines and general bone health.
Physical examination
swelling, tenderness over the bone, skin condition, blood flow and nerve function, plus the joints above and below the injury.
X-ray
usually taken from more than one angle to see the break line and the position of the bone.
CT or MRI scan
advised only when the X-ray does not give enough detail, such as with joint fractures or suspected stress fractures.
Bone health review
if an older adult breaks a bone after a minor fall, the doctor may advise a bone density test.
Treatment Options
Fracture Treatment Options Recommended by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
The appropriate fracture treatment in Erandwane, Pune, depends on the bone affected, the type and severity of the fracture, any displacement, the patient’s age, bone health, and functional needs. Treatment options are considered after clinical examination and relevant investigations.
Non-Surgical Fracture Treatment with Dr. Ketaki Mohite
- Rest and pain relief with medicines taken only as prescribed
- Closed reduction: the doctor gently moves the bone back into position without surgery
- Immobilisation with a plaster cast, splint, brace or sling to keep the bone still
- Follow-up X-rays to confirm the bone has stayed in position while it heals
Surgical Fracture Treatment Advised by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Surgery is considered when the bone is displaced and cannot be held by a plaster, when the fracture is open or unstable, when it reaches a joint surface or when an earlier fracture has not healed. Many hip fractures in older adults also need surgery so that the person can get up and walk early. Common methods include:
- Plates and screws that hold the bone fragments together
- Rods or nails placed inside the bone canal for long bones such as the thigh and shin
- Wires or pins for small bones and some children's fractures
- External fixator, a frame outside the body, used mainly for open or badly damaged fractures
- Joint replacement for selected hip fractures
If surgery is advised, Dr. Ketaki Mohite explains the reason, the plan, the expected recovery and the risks before you decide.
At a Glance
Non-Surgical vs Surgical Fracture Treatment at a Glance
| Factor | Non-surgical treatment | Surgical treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Undisplaced or stable fractures, many fractures in children | Displaced, unstable, open or joint-surface fractures |
| How the bone is held | Plaster, splint, brace or sling | Plates, screws, rods, wires or a frame |
| Main risk | Bone may slip, so repeat X-rays are needed | Anaesthesia and infection risks, plus those of any operation |
| Movement during healing | Limited by the plaster | Often earlier movement, as the doctor allows |
Recovery
Fracture Recovery Time: What to Expect with Dr. Ketaki Mohite's Care
Healing time differs from person to person. Small bones such as fingers and toes often heal sooner. Large weight-bearing bones such as the thigh and shin take longer. Many fractures need roughly 6 to 12 weeks for the bone to unite and some need more. Children usually heal faster than adults. Smoking, diabetes and low vitamin D can slow healing.
| Stage | What happens in the bone | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| First 1 to 2 weeks | Swelling settles and the body starts the repair process | Rest, elevate the limb and keep the plaster dry and intact |
| About 2 to 6 weeks | Soft new bone forms around the break | Attend follow-up X-rays and follow weight-bearing advice |
| About 6 to 12 weeks | The soft bone hardens and joins the ends | Start physiotherapy when the doctor allows |
| Months after | The bone reshapes and regains strength | Build strength and return to sport or heavy work in steps |
These time frames are general. Dr. Ketaki Mohite decides your own timeline from your X-rays and examination, so please do not treat the table as a promise for any single case.
Physiotherapy After a Fracture, Guided by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
After a plaster comes off, the joint is often stiff and the muscles are weak. Physiotherapy restores movement, strength and walking pattern. The right time to start depends on the bone and the type of treatment, so begin only when your doctor says it is safe.
Healing Habits
Habits That Support Fracture Healing, as Advised by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
- Follow the weight-bearing instructions exactly and never remove the plaster early
- Eat enough protein and take calcium and vitamin D only as your doctor advises
- Stop smoking, as it slows bone healing
- Keep every follow-up appointment and X-ray
- Report increasing pain, tight plaster, numbness, colour change in the fingers or toes or fever
First Aid
First Aid for a Suspected Fracture Before You Reach Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Stop using the injured part.
Keep the person still and calm.
Do not try to straighten the limb
or push a bone back in.
Support the limb in the position you found it.
Use a sling or a firm splint such as folded cardboard or a rolled newspaper, padded with cloth.
Control bleeding
by pressing gently with a clean cloth and cover any wound. Do not press on a protruding bone.
Apply ice wrapped in a cloth
for short periods to reduce swelling. Never place ice directly on the skin.
Avoid food and drink
until a doctor has assessed the injury, in case surgery is needed.
For a suspected neck, back or head injury, keep the head and neck still
and move the person only if it cannot be avoided.
Get an X-ray and an orthopaedic assessment
as soon as it is safe to travel.
Honest Limits
What Fracture Treatment Cannot Do: Honest Limits Explained by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
- No treatment makes a bone heal overnight. The plaster or surgery holds the bone in place and the body does the healing.
- Calcium or protein supplements cannot replace immobilisation.
- Not every fracture needs surgery and not every fracture is safe to treat with a plaster alone. That decision is made only after an X-ray.
- Massaging, oiling or manipulating a suspected fracture, including by untrained bone setters, can move the bone further and injure nerves or blood vessels.
- Some fractures leave stiffness, a small change in bone shape or a higher chance of joint arthritis later, especially when the fracture involved a joint.
Possible complications of a fracture include bone healing in a wrong position (malunion), delayed or failed healing (non-union), infection, joint stiffness, nerve or blood vessel injury, compartment syndrome (dangerous pressure build-up inside the limb) and blood clots after leg or hip fractures. Early assessment and regular follow-up lower these risks.
Fracture Care Near You
Fracture Care in Erandwane, Pune at Orthopedic Clinic in Erandwane Led by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Fractures in Pune often follow everyday situations: slippery bathroom and balcony floors in the monsoon, two-wheeler skids on busy roads, falls on stairs in older housing societies, school and park injuries in children and falls in senior citizens at home.
Phoenix Orthopaedic Consultation Clinic is located on the 3rd Floor, B Wing, Estonia Building, opposite Mendhale Garage, Swaroop Society, Vakil Nagar, Erandwane, Pune – 411004. The clinic can be accessed by patients from Erandwane, Kothrud, Karve Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Law College Road, Prabhat Road, and Paud Road for orthopedic consultation and assessment.
FAQs
Fracture FAQs Answered by Dr. Ketaki Mohite
Yes. Many fractures, especially stable or undisplaced ones, heal with a plaster, splint or brace. Surgery is advised only when the bone cannot be held in a good position without it.
You cannot be sure by feel alone. Pain directly over the bone, visible deformity, severe swelling and inability to bear weight suggest a fracture. An X-ray is the reliable way to tell.
Many fractures need about 6 to 12 weeks for the bone to join and full strength can take months. The exact time depends on the bone, your age and your health. Dr. Ketaki Mohite estimates it after examining your X-rays.
Sometimes a person can, especially with hairline or foot fractures, which is why they are often missed. Walking on a fracture can make the break worse, so get an X-ray before putting full weight on the injury.
No. Pressure or manipulation can move the bone and damage nerves or blood vessels. Keep the limb supported and see an orthopaedic doctor.
It is a real fracture, though usually less severe than a full break. Without rest and protection, it can grow into a complete break. Dr. Ketaki Mohite advises rest, protection and follow-up for stress fractures.
It depends on the bone, the treatment and the demands of your work or sport. Your doctor clears each step after checking the healing on X-ray and your movement.
Yes. Children’s bones heal faster and can bend before they break, as in a greenstick fracture. Injuries near the growth plate need careful follow-up because they can affect bone growth.
An orthopaedic doctor. Orthopedic Doctor in Erandwane Dr. Ketaki Mohite consults at Phoenix Orthopaedic Consultation Clinic, Vakil Nagar, Erandwane.
Consult with Dr. Ketaki Mohite, Fracture Doctor in Erandwane
Pain that does not settle is worth a proper examination. Call 09049369955 or use the Book Appointment button, and we will find a time that suits you.
