A bone fracture (break) can happen to anyone, anywhere and when you least expect it. And sometimes you know it right away —and it’s off to the emergency room. But other times, you may not be sure it’s broken right away, or maybe a break isn’t lining up right as it heals. Whatever the case, you know something is wrong. We understand the pain you’re feeling — and that feeling of frustration as you look at the mending time ahead of you. But getting good care is the first step in a successful recovery.
You can count on the experts at Cleveland Clinic to do just that — relieve your pain and get you moving forward again. We’ll stick with you through this break. And we’ll work together to get you back together and back to doing the things you love.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Fracture Care?
Demonstrated expertise:
Our top-level team of providers has advanced training and education in caring for fractures — from simple breaks to more complex ones. They include hand specialists, foot specialists, sports fracture specialists, orthopaedic surgeons and more. We’ve got it all covered. Meet our team.
Industry leaders:
Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic providers are among the top in their field. They lead a variety of national organizations that focus on fractures and promote excellence in care for people who are injured.
Skilled collaborative providers:
We work together across departments to provide the personalized care you need. Our orthopaedic experts can team up with other providers to help you heal and recover when needed — from wound care experts to infectious disease providers to plastic surgeons.
Caring approach:
Our providers go beyond putting you back in one piece physically. They also help you get peace of mind through this challenge. We’ll sit down with you and talk through your diagnosis, and we’ll explain each step of your treatment plan. We care about your bones first — but not just your bones.
Virtual visits:
We’ll need to see you in person at first, but if getting to your provider’s office is tough for follow-up visits, don’t worry. We also offer virtual visits for some appointments. This convenient alternative to an in-person visit lets you meet with your provider from the comfort of your home using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
National recognition:
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
Fracture Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic
We understand that broken bones can be painful and a little bit scary. And our experts are here to ease that pain, repair that break — and lessen those fears. But we also want to hear your story. We want to learn more about how you ended up here, so we can work quickly get you back to where you want to be.
Our experts diagnose all types of fractures. We diagnose and treat:
- Foot and ankle fractures.
- Hand and wrist fractures.
- Hip fractures and shoulder fractures.
- Bone fractures that happen during accidents or falls.
- Fractures that result from taking certain medications (such as bisphosphonates) for osteoporosis.
- Old fractures that haven’t healed correctly.
- Stress fractures that happen over time.
We’ll start with a physical exam and X-ray of the area to learn more about your fracture. When fractures happen near or inside a joint, or if there’s a chance of infection, we may use extra imaging options like:
- Bone scan: During a bone scan, we inject a radioactive substance that makes fractures and signs of infection easier to see in images.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: We use CT scan, a computerized X-ray, to see tissue and blood vessels inside of your bone or joint.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): We may use MRI, a test that uses magnets and radio waves, to look for infection and tissue damage.
- Ultrasound: Providers sometimes use ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves, to create detailed images of the joint.
Sometimes, fractures can be complicated. Our experts may order tests when we think there might be complications from your fracture. These complications can include:
- Compartment syndrome: Sometimes, a dangerous increase in muscle pressure near the fracture can limit the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and nerves.
- Fractures that take longer than usual to heal.
- Malunion: This is when a broken bone has healed poorly and the two sides don’t line up right. This is most common in the shin bone and then the forearm.
- Osteomyelitis: This is a painful bone infection that causes swelling that can lead to bone damage and bone loss.
- Nerve damage: This is when there is damage to the nerves near the broken bone.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):This is a possibly dangerous blood clot that forms in a vein deep in your body, usually your leg. This blood clot can also form in your thigh or pelvis, or other parts of your body including your arm, brain, intestines, liver or kidney.
Providers Who Treat Fractures
Locations
Our team of dedicated experts see patients at the following locations in Northeast Ohio and Florida.Fracture Treatment at Cleveland Clinic
They say that time heals all wounds. And many simple fractures can get better with time when your injured bone remains aligned. But some fractures are more complex. Our experts use a range of therapies to treat fractures, including:
Treating fractures without surgery
We use different therapies to align, support and protect your broken bones while they heal. Depending on the type of fracture, we may use:
- Casts and splints.
- Physical therapy.
For stress fractures, we may recommend that you:
- Avoid the activity that caused the fracture.
- Keep weight off it by using crutches.
- Rest and ice it.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen sodium (Aleve®) and aspirin (Bayer®or St. Joseph®).
Treating fractures with surgery
Some fractures may need surgery. These can include compound fractures, where your bone is sticking through your skin or fractures where your bone has shattered or splintered.
Surgery options include:
- Arthroplasty (joint replacement): During arthroplasty, surgeons replace your broken or damaged joint with an artificial joint.
- External fixation: Surgeons use pins and screws to keep your bone in place. They may remove these or leave them in place, depending on how your bone heals.
- Internal fixation: Surgeons set your bone in the right position using screws or metal plates. This helps hold your bone together so it can heal. Some fractures need a metal rod to support the bone.
- Masquelet technique: Surgeons put a spacer made from antibiotic cement to fill in space where bone is missing. Then, in a second surgery, doctors graft (surgically transplant) bone from somewhere else in your body or use a bone substitute to fill in the space.
- Multiplanar ring fixation: Surgeons use pins, rings and wires to stabilize your fractured bone and help it heal.
Taking the Next Step
While you probably won’t be kicking a football or running around the house any time soon, you can feel good knowing your fracture will heal with the right treatment. You don’t need to be in this pain any longer. And the faster you get care, the faster you can get back to having fun. Reach out to your Cleveland Clinic provider today. Our orthopaedic providers are here to help with all kinds of fractures — from simple ones to the most complicated. Along the way, we’ll answer all your questions and be the support you need as you recover.
Make an Appointment
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Find Quick Access With an Orthopaedic Specialist
With Cleveland Clinic’s Ortho Express Care™, you can avoid the Emergency Department if you or a family member (ages 2 and older) have a joint, muscle or bone injury.
Schedule an Ortho Express Care appointment for:
- Painful, swollen joints.
- Sudden muscle, joint or bone injuries.
- Exercise- or sports-related injuries (no concussions).
- Simple fractures.
- Strains and sprains.
- Other musculoskeletal injuries.
