Fracture Care in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita, CA
Dr. Alireza Nazemi, MD, provides orthopedic evaluation and treatment planning for fractures that affect bone stability, mobility, and daily function in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita, California. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, treatment may include casting, bracing, or surgical fixation to help restore proper alignment and support healing.
Bone Fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which a bone is cracked or broken. It is a break in the continuity of the bone. While many fractures are the result of high-force impact or stress, bone fractures can also occur because of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis.
A fracture may be complete or partial and is commonly caused by trauma due to a fall, motor vehicle accident or sports injury. Thinning of the bone due to osteoporosis in the elderly can also cause bones to break easily. Overuse injuries are a common cause of stress fractures in athletes.
Types of fractures
- Simple fracture: The fractured pieces of bone are well aligned and stable
- Unstable fracture: the fragments of the broken bone are misaligned and displaced
- Open (compound) fracture: A severe fracture in which the broken bones protrude through the skin. This type of fracture is more prone to infection and requires immediate medical attention.
- Greenstick fracture: A fracture unique to children, where one side of the bone is broken while the other is bent
Fracture Healing
Our body reacts to a fracture by protecting the injured area with a blood clot and callus or fibrous tissue. Bone cells begin forming on either side of the fracture line. These cells grow towards each other and eventually close the fracture.
Medical Therapy
The objective of early fracture management is to control bleeding, prevent ischemic injury (bone death) and to remove sources of infection such as foreign bodies and dead tissues. The next step is the reduction of the fracture and its maintenance. It is important to ensure that the involved part of the body returns to its function after the fracture heals. To achieve this, fracture reduction and immobilization are achieved by either a non-operative or surgical method.
Non-operative (closed) therapy uses casting and traction (skin and skeletal traction).
Casting
This is done for any fracture that is displaced, shortened, or angulated. Splints and casts are made of fiberglass or Plaster of Paris (POP) and are used to immobilize the limb.
Traction
This method is used for fractures and dislocations that cannot be treated by casting. There are two methods of traction: skin traction and skeletal traction.
Skin traction involves attachment of traction tapes to the skin of the limb segment below the fracture. In skeletal traction, a pin is inserted through the bone and attached to ropes. Weights are applied, and the patient is placed in a traction apparatus. This method is commonly used for fractures of long bones.
Surgical Therapy
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)
This is a surgical procedure in which the fracture site is exposed while a reduction of the fracture is done. Internal fixation is done with wires, plates, screws, and nails.
External fixation
This is a procedure in which the fracture stabilization is done outside the body using rods screwed into the bone above and below the fracture that exit the body and are attached to a stabilizer device that may be adjusted. It helps to maintain bone length and alignment without casting.
External fixation is performed in the following conditions:
- Open fractures with soft-tissue involvement
- Burns and soft tissue injuries
- Pelvic fractures
- Comminuted (shattered) and unstable fractures
- Fractures having bony deficits
- Limb-lengthening procedures
- Fractures with infection or non-union (fails to heal)
Rehabilitation
Fractures may take several weeks to months to heal completely. You should limit your activities even after the removal of the cast or brace so the bone becomes solid enough to bear stress. Rehabilitation programs involve exercises and a gradual increase in activity levels until the process of healing is complete.
Why Choose Dr. Alireza Nazemi for Fracture Care in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita?
A fracture requires appropriate assessment to determine how the bone should be stabilized and monitored during healing. Dr. Alireza Nazemi provides orthopedic evaluation to help patients understand their injury and explore treatment options based on the fracture's location, severity, and individual needs.
- Individualized evaluation: Assessment of the fracture, bone alignment, and surrounding tissue to guide treatment decisions.
- Treatment planning: Recommendations for appropriate non-surgical management or surgical fixation when indicated.
- Recovery guidance: Instructions regarding immobilization, activity restrictions, and follow-up care.
- Rehabilitation support: Guidance on gradually restoring movement, strength, and function as healing progresses.
Patients in Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, and surrounding Southern California communities can contact the practice to inquire about fracture evaluation and treatment options.
Fracture Care FAQs
What causes bone fractures?
Fractures commonly result from falls, sports injuries, accidents, or direct impact. Weakened bones and repetitive stress can also contribute to fractures.
What are the common signs of a fracture?
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty moving the affected area, or visible deformity. Some fractures may cause less obvious symptoms, so medical evaluation is important when a fracture is suspected.
How are fractures treated?
Treatment depends on the location, type, and severity of the fracture. Options may include a splint, cast, or brace, while more complex or unstable fractures may require surgery to realign and stabilize the bone.
When is fracture surgery necessary?
Surgery may be recommended when a fracture is significantly displaced, unstable, open, or unlikely to heal properly with immobilization alone. The decision depends on the specific injury and the patient's overall health.
What is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)?
ORIF is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon realigns the broken bone and stabilizes it with implants such as plates, screws, or rods. It is used when a fracture requires surgical stabilization.
How long does a fracture take to heal?
Many fractures heal over several weeks, while more complex injuries may take months. Healing time varies depending on the bone involved, fracture severity, age, general health, and treatment.
What happens if a fracture does not heal properly?
Some fractures heal slowly or fail to unite, a condition known as delayed union or nonunion. Additional evaluation may be necessary to determine whether further treatment or surgery is needed.
Is rehabilitation necessary after a fracture?
Rehabilitation may be recommended to restore joint movement, strength, balance, and function after immobilization or surgery. Exercises and activity progression should follow the treating clinician's instructions.
When should I seek emergency care for a fracture?
Seek emergency medical attention for an open fracture, severe deformity, uncontrolled bleeding, numbness, or a limb that becomes pale, blue, or cold. Suspected fractures following significant trauma also require prompt medical assessment.
Where can I get fracture care near Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita?
Patients in Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, and nearby communities can contact Dr. Alireza Nazemi's practice to inquire about an orthopedic evaluation and appropriate treatment options for fractures.
Schedule a Fracture Care Consultation in Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita
A fracture that is not properly evaluated and stabilized may affect healing and long-term function. Contact Dr. Alireza Nazemi, MD, to inquire about orthopedic fracture care in Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita, California, and discuss the next steps for your injury and recovery.
