X-ray image of leg fracture

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thanh Hai - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Fractures of the lower legs make it difficult for the patient to walk and live. If this condition is not first aided and treated early, it will lead to many dangerous complications. X-ray is the most accurate method of evaluating shin fractures.

1. What is a shin fracture?

To understand what a shin fracture is, let's learn about the structure of the shin bone. The shin bone is made up of the tibia and fibula:
Tibia: The position of the tibia is located on the inside of the lower leg, has a slightly curved shape inward and the bottom is curved out. The inner surface of the tibia has only skin, no tendons or muscles. The outer surface has muscles. The average length of the tibia of the Vietnamese is 33.6 cm long. The fibula: Located outside the tibia is a long thin bone and large at both ends. The fibula is divided into 3 parts: the upper head, the body and the lower head. Compared with the fibula, the tibia has a more important mechanical role.
Fracture of the lower leg is a fracture of the bone about 5 cm below the knee joint and about 5 cm above the ankle joint. In many cases, a fracture of the lower leg will be accompanied by a fracture of the fibula. The cause of this situation can be due to an accident, injury...
MORE: Why is the broken leg bone that has been operated on with a fixed screw brace but still does not heal the bone?

2. Complications of shin fractures

Leg fractures not only cause pain, affect the patient's daily life, but also appear many other complications. Specifically:
Traumatic shock Damaged vessels and nerves Leg amputation due to compartment syndrome Bacterial infection Nutritional disorder leading to deep infection

3. X-ray image of shin fracture

In addition to examining the symptoms of the disease with visual observation, the doctor will assign the patient an X-ray of the shin bone to diagnose and determine the fracture status. From there, the treatment methods are proposed.
Some clinical manifestations of shin fractures such as:
Severe pain at the fracture site The leg cannot be moved, in an immobile state. Angled appearance in the lower leg Hand-feeling of the broken bone head moving under the skin Abnormal movement of the leg The X-ray result of the shin fracture will show the image of 2 joints, the knee and ankle joints and position of tibia, fibula, fracture line morphology as well as degree of displacement.

4. How to treat shin fracture?

4.1. First Aid Immediately after an injury or accident that causes the shin bone to break, the patient needs to keep the leg immobile. A splint or powder can be used to fix it. Use pain relievers, reduce inflammation such as: morphine, Feldene Patients with signs of traumatic shock need fluid replacement to raise blood pressure Leg fractures with open wounds need tetanus vaccination, antibiotics. 4.2. Treatment of Casting The patient is assigned a cast as soon as there are symptoms of fracture with little or no displacement. The cast is made in the thigh-calf-foot position with the knee slightly bent at 900. After 10 days, the powder is too loose, it will be replaced with a new cast or wrapped with a closed cast. The dough will keep for 8 to 10 weeks.
During the casting process, the patient is instructed to practice raising the lower leg, flexing the leg to avoid stiffness. After about 21 days, the patient can be removed from the cast and learn to walk on crutches.
In case the fracture of the lower leg is displaced, the patient should be anesthetized for the fracture and treated on a Bohler traction frame and pulled with weights and functional powder for 8-12 weeks. This powder is often applied to the case of low fracture of 2 shin bones.
Pulling weights This method is applied in cases of unstable fractures and heavily displaced fractures. Pulling weights is performed using a Steimann or large Kirschner nail through the calcaneus for a continuous pull on the Braun rig.
Surgery Surgery is indicated when the patient has a twisted cross leg fracture that cannot be straightened, suspected due to software insertion.
Combination of screw splints For people with twisted diagonal fractures with the 3rd piece, multiple fractures, and high fractures of the tibia.

5. Notes after treatment of shin fractures on X-ray

In order to help the fracture quickly recover and heal, the patient needs to have some notes after treatment such as:
Absolutely follow the instructions and requirements of the doctor including taking medicine, exercising, lifestyle, ... After removing the supporting tools and equipment, the patient needs to perform physical therapy to restore the strength of the leg and avoid the dynamic field of the underactive joints. Prevent stiffness by moving knees, feet, toes... Gentle movement with the help of crutches will help bones heal faster such as: walking Maintain a healthy diet with a healthy weight Scientifically, science is beneficial for bones such as foods containing a lot of calcium, fiber, vitamins,... Images of shin fractures can be shown on X-ray films. Therefore, in order to ensure a clear and accurate image, and to determine the correct degree of fracture, patients need to go to reputable specialized medical facilities to perform examination and image diagnosis of shin fractures.
Currently, X-ray is an imaging method performed routinely at Vinmec International General Hospital, including X-ray technique to diagnose fractures. The X-ray procedure at Vinmec is carried out methodically under the guidance of the medical team of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging. In addition, Vinmec is now equipped with the most modern X-ray machine, meeting international standards for true and clear images, helping doctors to accurately diagnose fractures to have a method. treatments, restore health, heal bones quickly.

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