Treatments for Broken Bones

A broken bone is X-rayed to provide a diagnosis and to more clearly illustrate where, how, and the severity of the fracture. The beginning of the treatment process begins with making sure the fractured bones are aligned, so that when they heal, they will grow back aligned. The bones may be aligned from outside of the skin or may be more intrusive and require surgery. Afterward the shattered pieces of the bone are also aligned in their correct position. The aligned bone may be kept in place by pins, metal plates, or screws. These are removed once the fracture has healed.

Pins stab through the ends of the bones to keep it aligned with a neighboring bone for support.
SOURCES FOR PICTURES:
http://electronworks.com/stuff/clavicle-break-and-screw.jpg
http://www.petcarevb.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2007_0202julyaugcotrail0003-300x225.jpg



Metal plates are applied directly to the fractured area of the bone. It works much like a band aid.


Screws go into the area of the fracture too. They are meant to keep the fractured area from separating by keeping the screws as close as possible to the injured area.