Fracture Quiz
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Have chest pain
Muscle pain
Chest pain on left side
Tightness in the chest
My muscles are sore
Only the left chest hurts
Pressure in the chest
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Fracture?
A break in the bone. These are typically caused by high-energy injuries given the strength of bone tissue. However, patients with weakened bones from conditions like osteoporosis and bone cancers may experience fractures from minor injuries.
Typical Symptoms of Fracture
- Left-sided chest pain
- Arm pain
- Muscle pain
- Hip pain
- Right sided chest pain
- Back pain or discomfort
- Spine pain
- Chest pain
Diagnostic Questions for Fracture
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have pain on the left side of your chest?
- Are you experiencing arm pain?
- Are you experiencing muscle pain?
- Are you experiencing hip pain?
- Do you have chest pain on the right side?
Treatment of Fracture
Bone heals naturally, so treatment aims to ensure the healing bone stays in alignment through casting or surgery. Surgery may involve many techniques to align and fixate the bone.
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Left arm pain
- Hip pain when sleeping
- Left shoulder pain
- Leg muscle pain
- Pain from chest to arm
- Have pain in the hip joint
- Radiating pain from chest to left shoulder
- Burning sensation in the muscles
- Left hand pain
- I feel discomfort in my hip joint
- Pain in the abdominal muscles
- Shoulder stiffness
- Stiff left shoulder
- Hip aches when I walk
- Tough to use left arm
See full list
Symptoms Related to Fracture
Diseases Related to Fracture
FAQs
Q.
Shattered Bone? Why Your Comminuted Fracture Needs Expert Medical Steps
A.
A comminuted fracture is a serious break where the bone shatters into three or more pieces, often requiring expert evaluation, advanced imaging, and surgical stabilization to prevent problems like malunion, nonunion, infection, or nerve and vessel damage. There are several factors to consider for recovery and next steps, including when to seek emergency care, expected healing times, and the role of physical therapy; see below for the complete guidance that could affect your decisions.
References:
* Kumar, A., Singh, D. K., Singh, R., & Singh, R. K. (2021). Comprehensive Review of Comminuted Fractures of the Distal Radius: Management Options and Outcomes. Cureus, 13(5), e15132. doi:10.7759/cureus.15132. PMID: 34107773.
* Zhang, M., Zhang, B., Li, C., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Principles of Management of Comminuted Fractures: A Review. Orthopaedic Surgery, 14(11), 3241–3247. doi:10.1111/os.13524. PMID: 36399435.
* Han, Y., Xu, C., Lv, X., & Tang, H. (2022). Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Comminuted Fractures of the Distal Tibia. Medical Science Monitor, 28, e937989. doi:10.12659/MSM.937989. PMID: 36294713.
* O'Donnell, R., Elbeshbeshy, B., Khan, A. A., & Bakhsh, W. R. (2021). Current Concepts in the Management of Comminuted Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Cureus, 13(8), e17277. doi:10.7759/cureus.17277. PMID: 34416194.
* Ma, H., Chen, R., Liu, C., Cao, C., & Yu, W. (2021). Management of Comminuted Fractures with Bone Defects: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9, 703472. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.703472. PMID: 34293994.
Q.
Frequent Fractures? Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Frequent fractures with little or no trauma can indicate osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic collagen disorder that weakens bones; severity varies widely and early evaluation improves outcomes. Medically approved next steps include prompt medical assessment for fracture patterns and clues like blue sclera or hearing and dental issues, diagnosis via exam, imaging and often genetic testing, and management with bisphosphonates, physical therapy, safety measures, hearing and dental care, and selected surgery, with urgent care for any suspected fracture or severe symptoms; there are several additional details and child-specific considerations that can change your plan, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Glorieux FH. Osteogenesis imperfecta. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017 Oct;31(5):555-565. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Jul 26. PMID: 30054238.
* Marini JC, Reich A, Smith SM. Osteogenesis imperfecta: comprehensive genetic and clinical advances. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017 Jul;13(7):360-378. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2017.30. Epub 2017 Mar 31. PMID: 28368006.
* Shaker JL, Khosla S. Osteogenesis Imperfecta: New Therapeutics. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2018 Jun;16(3):291-298. doi: 10.1007/s11914-018-0441-2. PMID: 29654497.
* van Dijk FS, Baugh EH, Christiansen LB, Dugan S, Grabowski D, Grasso R, Ippolito E, Malfait F, Malunowicz M, Marini JC, Rauch F, Salles JP, Schirazi M, Steiner R, Sunkel C, Glorieux FH. Osteogenesis imperfecta: the story so far. J Bone Miner Res. 2019 Dec;34(12):2135-2147. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3871. Epub 2019 Sep 23. PMID: 31338870.
* Wang Y, Yuan B, Hu J. Therapeutic advances in osteogenesis imperfecta. J Cell Mol Med. 2020 Sep;24(17):9631-9642. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.15617. Epub 2020 Aug 2. PMID: 32734612; PMCID: PMC7460980.
Q.
Foot Bone Pain? Why Your Foot Bones Ache & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Foot bone pain often comes from overuse injuries like stress fractures, acute fractures, arthritis, bone bruises, tendon or ligament strain, osteoporosis, and less commonly infection that needs urgent care. There are several factors to consider; below you will find medically approved next steps, including when to rest and ice, adjust footwear or use OTC meds, and when signs like inability to bear weight, deformity, fever, numbness, or worsening pain mean you should get prompt medical evaluation and imaging. You will also find recovery timelines, prevention strategies, and guidance on physical therapy and immobilization that could change your plan.
References:
* Tu P, Best C, Best T. Diagnosis and Treatment of Foot Pain. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2017 Oct;34(4):427-440. doi: 10.1016/j.cpm.2017.06.002. Epub 2017 Jul 25. PMID: 28886737.
* Kahanovitz N, O'Loughlin PF. Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle. Orthop Clin North Am. 2017 Oct;48(4):453-461. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2017.06.007. Epub 2017 Aug 2. PMID: 28886749.
* Viladot R, Padrón M, Villarroya M, Lorenzo JC. Metatarsalgia: a review of the literature. Foot Ankle Surg. 2017 Dec;23(4):259-265. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 Jun 2. PMID: 29217145.
* Saltzman BM, Saltzman CL, Koh JL, Kadakia AR, Schiff AP, Raikin SM. Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle: a current review. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017 Dec;10(4):427-436. doi: 10.1007/s12178-017-9430-6. PMID: 28936735; PMCID: PMC5701887.
* Papanikolaou A, Trakatelli K, Kontogianni P, Psillidis DA, Sayegh F. Bone Tumors of the Foot: A 30-Year Experience. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2018 Sep-Oct;57(5):981-987. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.03.042. Epub 2018 May 11. PMID: 30122484.
Q.
Is it a Fracture? Why Your Bone is Aching + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Bone aching after an injury or overuse could be a fracture, especially if pain worsens with movement or weight bearing, there is swelling or bruising, the area is very tender or looks deformed, or you cannot use the limb; stress fractures may start as a deep ache that eases with rest at first. Stop activity, use rest, ice, compression, and elevation, immobilize with a splint or sling, and get medical evaluation with imaging, seeking urgent care for an open wound, marked deformity, numbness or tingling, or inability to bear weight; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are outlined below.
References:
* Kini, S., & Gadhia, K. (2021). Diagnosis and management of common fractures. *Clinical Medicine*, *21*(3), e265–e269.
* MacDonald, L. (2018). Approach to the Patient with Bone Pain. *The American Journal of Medicine*, *131*(9), 1026–1031.
* Patel, S. J., & Matcuk, G. R. (2023). Stress fractures: A narrative review of presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. *Journal of Orthopaedic Research*, *41*(2), 248–259.
* Hussain, S., & Bignell, B. (2019). Red flags in general practice: Bone pain. *Australian Journal of General Practice*, *48*(6), 380–384.
* Hussain, S. M., & Teoh, J. (2020). Diagnostic imaging in musculoskeletal trauma: an update on current practice and future trends. *The British Journal of Radiology*, *93*(1116), 20200500.
Q.
What are the key differences between a broken and a sprained ankle?
A.
A broken ankle involves a fracture in the bone, while a sprained ankle involves damage to the ligaments. Both can cause pain and swelling, but fractures often require more intensive treatment.
References:
Sujitkumar P, Hadfield JM, & Yates DW. (1986). Sprain or fracture? An analysis of 2000 ankle injuries. Archives of emergency medicine, 3089238.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3089238/
Judd DB, & Kim DH. (2002). Foot fractures frequently misdiagnosed as ankle sprains. American family physician, 12322769.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12322769/
Parchimowicz M, Michoński A, Parchimowicz O, & Lubkowska A. (2016). Treatment of post-traumatic ankle ligament adhesions. Pomeranian journal of life sciences, 29537781.
Q.
What are the most common causes of ankle pain?
A.
Ankle pain is often caused by injuries like sprains, tendon problems, arthritis, or nerve issues. These can result from sports, accidents, or wear and tear over time.
References:
Choudhary S, & McNally E. (2011). Review of common and unusual causes of lateral ankle pain. Skeletal radiology, 20972871.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20972871/
Wukich DK, & Tuason DA. (2011). Diagnosis and treatment of chronic ankle pain. Instructional course lectures, 21553785.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21553785/
Nicolette GW, Edenfield KM, Michaudet C, & Carek PJ. (2018). Foot and Ankle Conditions: Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain. FP essentials, 29381042.
Q.
What might cause ankle pain specifically during running?
A.
Ankle pain during running can be caused by injuries like sprains, tendonitis, or stress fractures. It's important to understand these causes to prevent and manage the pain effectively.
References:
Tenforde AS, Yin A, & Hunt KJ. (2016). Foot and Ankle Injuries in Runners. Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America, 26616180.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26616180/
(2013). Ankle sprains: combination of manual therapy and .... The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 23812107.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23812107/
Arnold MJ, & Moody AL. (2018). Common Running Injuries: Evaluation and Management. American family physician, 29671490.
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Taljanovic MS, Jones MD, Ruth JT, Benjamin JB, Sheppard JE, Hunter TB. Fracture fixation. Radiographics. 2003 Nov-Dec;23(6):1569-90. doi: 10.1148/rg.236035159. PMID: 14615566.
https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/rg.236035159Mick P, Fischer C. Delayed Fracture Healing. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2022 Jun;26(3):329-337. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1740380. Epub 2022 Jun 2. PMID: 35654098.
https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1740380Sabbagh MD, Morsy M, Moran SL. Diagnosis and Management of Acute Scaphoid Fractures. Hand Clin. 2019 Aug;35(3):259-269. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2019.03.002. Epub 2019 May 11. PMID: 31178084.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749071219300174?via%3Dihub