“How can you tell the difference between a fracture and a dislocation?”
I am a 30 year old male. I want to know how can you tell the difference between a fracture and a dislocation?
12 Answers
With x-rays and an MRI.
A fracture is a broken bone, a dislocation is at a joint where a joint becomes out of place. There is a difference and they can happen together. In an ankle fracture it can be just broken and the joint is aligned or it can be a fracture dislocation where the bones are broken and the joint is no longer aligned. An xray tells us this information.
Fracture means broken. Dislocated means moving out of native place.
A fracture is typically seen on an x-ray as a disruption in these bone architecture. It is a broken bone/fracture which mean the same. The x-ray would also show a dislocation of a joint. This would appearOn a x-ray as in the shoulder where the ball is not lined up with the socket. Really x-rays are needed in order to differentiate the two based upon the trauma or injury.
Dislocations are rather rare when compared to fractures; the pain and the deformity are also different; the pain is soft tissue pain which is not nearly as bad as fractured bone pain; With a dislocation one of the bones has moved away from the other articulating surface (joint) and has become stuck and cannot assume its normal position. Often times, just relaxing the patient and apply a gentle maneuver will reduce the dislocation and the deformity is gone and the pain is lowered.
Fractures are broken bones which cause considerable localized pain and significant bleeding at the fracture site . There can be a huge deformity if the bone fragments separate by a lerge degree or often the case there will be what we call a "non-displaced" fracture where there is no signif. displacement of the boney fragments and usually this signifies a lower level energy that created the injury. there are many other differences between the two but this is the basic stuff.
Fractures are broken bones which cause considerable localized pain and significant bleeding at the fracture site . There can be a huge deformity if the bone fragments separate by a lerge degree or often the case there will be what we call a "non-displaced" fracture where there is no signif. displacement of the boney fragments and usually this signifies a lower level energy that created the injury. there are many other differences between the two but this is the basic stuff.
Imaging. See a doctor.
Dislocations are the joints becoming separated and occur at the ends of bones. Fractures can occur in the joint but generally occur along the shaft of the bone. Both have pain, deformity, tenderness etc. dislocations are very painful until put back in place. Fractures will be painful for a longer time. So best way is by knowing location and type of deformity. Hope this helps.
X-ray. You can also have both at the same time.
There are several variables to help decide if you can determine clinically or if X-ray is necessary to determine the type. (Ultimately, the injury will require an X-ray for details.) Location, dislocations only can occur within a joint, fractures can occur throughout the substance of the bone. Nature of the occurrence usually will help, i.e., position, hyper flexion or extension of the joint, activity during occurrence, appearance of the area in question may assist, as well as gentle palpation, is crepitation observed. So, a good history and exam is going to give you a good impression, but best to follow up with an X-ray.
A fracture is a break in the bone. A dislocation is when the joint is made unstable and separates.
A fracture is a break of a bone. A dislocation is a shifting of a joint. You can have both a fracture and a dislocation depending on the injury. I recommend you be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment
A fracture is a break in a bone. A dislocation is when bones separate at a joint level.
