Final answer:
The complications of fractures can range from infection to life-threatening conditions like compartment syndrome and respiratory distress. Pre-existing bone conditions and the type of fracture can influence healing, and complications may also arise from immobility during recovery, especially in the elderly. Treatment may involve closed or open reduction, and healing involves a multi-step bone repair process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing fracture complications, it is essential to recognize that the process of bone healing can be influenced by various factors, including the type of fracture, the method of intervention such as drug therapy, and pre-existing conditions like bone disease. Osteoporosis and bone cancer are examples of conditions that weaken bones, leading to a higher risk of fractures and delayed bone healing.
Complications can include infection, due to pathogens entering the body at the fracture site or during surgery (open reduction); delayed healing, which may be exacerbated by weakened bones; malunion or nonunion, where bones heal improperly or fail to heal; nerve damage or blood vessel damage due to the fracture disrupting nearby structures; and compartment syndrome, a serious condition where swelling leads to increased pressure within a closed muscle space, impeding blood flow and potentially damaging muscles and nerves.
Fractures such as a fractured diaphysis of the femur can be particularly severe, potentially releasing fat globules into the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening events such as respiratory distress. Elderly individuals are at a higher risk for serious complications, such as hip fractures leading to blood clots, pneumonia, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections, mostly due to prolonged immobility during healing.
The classification of fractures, including transverse, oblique, spiral, and comminuted among others, play a role in the prognosis and treatment approach. Bone healing itself involves hematoma formation, callus formation, resorption of dead bone by osteoclasts, and new bone creation by osteoblasts with eventual remodeling and healing.