Condition Lookup

Simple fractures (closed)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; swelling; bruising; limited range of motion; deformity at the fracture site

Root Cause:
A simple fracture occurs when a bone breaks but does not pierce the skin. This can happen due to trauma, such as a fall or direct impact.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, patient history, and confirmation via X-rays or CT scans to assess the type and location of the fracture.

Treatment:
Treatment often involves immobilization using a cast or splint to allow the bone to heal. In some cases, surgery may be necessary for realignment or stabilization.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ), acetaminophen , and, in some cases, opioid analgesics for severe pain. NSAIDs are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while opioids are classified as narcotic analgesics.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Simple fractures are common and can occur in individuals of all ages. It is more frequent in younger individuals due to sports injuries and in older adults due to falls.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, high-impact accidents, osteoporosis, and poor bone health.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment; healing usually occurs in 6-8 weeks. Most people regain full function of the affected bone.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications can include infection, delayed healing, malunion (bones healing in the wrong position), and permanent loss of function in severe cases.

Compound fractures (open)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; visible bone protrusion through the skin; bleeding; swelling; deformity

Root Cause:
A compound fracture occurs when a bone breaks and pierces through the skin, creating a wound and increasing the risk of infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, imaging (X-rays, CT scan), and clinical evaluation of the open wound and fracture site.

Treatment:
Treatment involves immediate cleaning of the wound to reduce infection risk, stabilization with a cast or surgery, and sometimes the use of antibiotics. Surgery may be required to realign the bone and insert hardware such as pins, plates, or screws.

Medications:
Antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin or clindamycin ) to prevent infection, pain relievers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen , opioids for severe pain), and possibly tetanus immunization if the injury is from a dirty object.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than simple fractures, but often occur in high-impact accidents or trauma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma such as car accidents, falls from a height, or sports injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the injury, the risk of infection, and the speed of medical intervention. Full recovery is possible with proper care.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, delayed union or non-union of the bone, deformity, loss of function, and nerve or blood vessel damage.

Stress fractures

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain during activity that decreases with rest; swelling; tenderness over the bone; localized pain

Root Cause:
A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, often seen in athletes or individuals with high-impact activities.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, history of overuse, and imaging such as X-rays, bone scans, or MRI to confirm the fracture.

Treatment:
Rest and cessation of the activity causing the stress. A boot, brace, or crutches may be used to immobilize the area. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) and acetaminophen . These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, respectively.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in athletes, particularly in sports that involve running or jumping (e.g., basketball, long-distance running).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive stress on bones, overtraining, improper footwear, nutritional deficiencies (e.g., calcium or vitamin D), and osteoporosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with rest and proper treatment. Full recovery is expected in 6-8 weeks.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If not treated properly, a stress fracture can progress to a full fracture or lead to chronic pain.

Pathological fractures (e.g., from osteoporosis, cancer)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Bone Disorders

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain at the fracture site; swelling; weakness; deformity; pain with minimal trauma

Root Cause:
A pathological fracture occurs when a bone that is weakened by disease (e.g., osteoporosis, cancer) breaks under normal or minimal stress.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through physical examination, imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, and a history of underlying diseases such as cancer or osteoporosis.

Treatment:
Treatment includes managing the underlying disease (e.g., osteoporosis medications, cancer treatment), pain management, and stabilization through a cast, brace, or surgery.

Medications:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate ) for osteoporosis; chemotherapy or targeted therapies for cancer-related fractures; pain relief with NSAIDs or opioids.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in older adults with osteoporosis, and individuals with bone metastasis from cancers (e.g., breast, prostate, lung cancer).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Osteoporosis, cancer (especially bone metastases), aging, hormonal changes, and chronic use of steroids.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the underlying disease and fracture severity. With appropriate treatment, recovery is possible, though functional recovery may be limited.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of recurrent fractures, chronic pain, disability, and complications from the underlying disease (e.g., cancer progression).

Nasal Bone Fracture

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Facial Injuries

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain and swelling in the nose; bruising around the eyes; nasal bleeding; difficulty breathing through the nose; deformity or misalignment of the nose

Root Cause:
A break or crack in the nasal bone, usually caused by trauma such as a direct blow to the face.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging studies (X-rays, CT scan) to assess the extent and location of the fracture.

Treatment:
Mild fractures may be treated with ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. More severe fractures may require closed reduction (manual realignment) or, in rare cases, surgical intervention.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs) may be prescribed to manage pain and swelling.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Nasal bone fractures are one of the most common facial fractures, accounting for approximately 40-50% of all facial fractures.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-risk activities such as sports (e.g., football, boxing), motor vehicle accidents, physical altercations, and falls.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, most nasal fractures heal well, although cosmetic deformities may persist if not treated promptly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Septal hematoma, chronic nasal congestion, nasal deformities, and breathing difficulties.

Zygomatic Arch Fracture

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Facial Injuries

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain and swelling over the cheek; bruising; difficulty opening the mouth; numbness around the cheek; tenderness on palpation of the cheekbone

Root Cause:
A fracture in the zygomatic arch, typically from blunt trauma like a punch or car accident.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, facial X-rays, or CT scans to confirm the fracture and check for any displacement.

Treatment:
Mild cases may be managed conservatively with pain management and rest. Severe cases may require surgical fixation of the bone.

Medications:
NSAIDs (ibuprofen ) for pain relief and inflammation. In more severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection if surgery is required.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Zygomatic arch fractures are relatively common in facial trauma, particularly in accidents and sports injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma, contact sports, physical altercations, or motor vehicle accidents.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, good functional and cosmetic outcomes are common.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malunion, facial asymmetry, sensory disturbances, and limited jaw movement.

Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Facial Injuries

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain in or around the eye; double vision; inability to move the eye; swelling and bruising around the eye; sunken eye; numbness in the cheek or upper jaw

Root Cause:
A fracture of the bones that form the orbit, often caused by a direct blow to the eye or face.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, orbital X-rays, or CT scan to confirm the extent of the fracture and any involvement of the eye socket.

Treatment:
Conservative treatment with ice packs and pain medication for minor fractures; surgical intervention may be necessary for more significant fractures to repair the bones and avoid eye complications.

Medications:
NSAIDs or acetaminophen for pain relief. If surgery is needed, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Orbital fractures make up around 20% of facial fractures, with blowout fractures being the most common type.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact trauma, such as in sports (boxing, soccer), vehicle accidents, or physical assaults.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most orbital fractures heal well with appropriate treatment; however, visual disturbances or long-term cosmetic issues can occur if not treated properly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vision problems, eye injury, enophthalmos (sunken eye), persistent double vision, and orbital infections.

Maxillary Fracture (Le Fort Fractures)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Facial Injuries

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
facial pain; swelling and bruising in the upper face; difficulty chewing or opening mouth; tooth mobility; nosebleeds; vision changes

Root Cause:
A break in the maxilla, often from severe trauma such as a car accident or fall, which can cause displacement of the facial bones.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Le Fort fractures are diagnosed through physical examination and confirmed with CT scans or X-rays to determine the extent of the fracture.

Treatment:
Surgical intervention is typically required to realign and stabilize the fractured bones, using plates and screws to hold the maxilla in place.

Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs or opioids for severe pain. Antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent infection if surgery is performed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Le Fort fractures are rare but represent a significant portion of traumatic facial fractures.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant height, and violent trauma (e.g., assault).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With timely surgical intervention, most patients recover well; however, long-term complications can occur if the fracture is not properly treated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, malocclusion (teeth misalignment), difficulty with swallowing and speaking, and scarring.

Mandibular Fracture

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Facial Injuries

Sub-category: Fractures

Symptoms:
pain in the lower jaw; difficulty opening the mouth; bruising and swelling in the jaw and chin; tooth mobility; numbness in the lower lip or chin; misalignment of teeth

Root Cause:
A break in the mandible (lower jaw), usually caused by trauma such as a punch, motor vehicle accident, or fall.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, dental X-rays, and CT scans are used to evaluate the fracture and its severity.

Treatment:
Treatment may involve conservative management with soft foods and pain relief for mild fractures. Severe fractures often require surgical repair using plates, screws, or wiring.

Medications:
Pain relief with NSAIDs or acetaminophen , and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection following surgery.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Mandibular fractures are common, accounting for approximately 30-40% of facial fractures.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Physical trauma from assaults, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and falls.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most fractures heal well with appropriate treatment, though there may be temporary or permanent issues with teeth or jaw alignment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malocclusion, infection, difficulty chewing, and facial asymmetry.