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Complications of Fracture: Causes, Types, Warning Signs & Physiotherapy Management | Physio360.

  • Writer: PHYSIO 360
    PHYSIO 360
  • 22 hours ago
  • 3 min read

INTRODUCTION;

Fractures are common orthopaedic injuries that usually heal well with proper medical care, immobilisation, and rehabilitation. However, not all fractures heal smoothly. When healing is delayed, incomplete, or abnormal, it can lead to fracture complications, affecting mobility, function, and quality of life.

At Physio360 – Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, we frequently manage patients suffering from post-fracture complications through evidence-based physiotherapy, early mobilisation, and customised rehabilitation programs.


What Are Fracture Complications?

Fracture complications refer to problems that occur during or after bone healing, leading to pain, deformity, stiffness, weakness, or disability.

These complications may occur due to:

  • Severe trauma

  • Improper immobilization

  • Poor blood supply

  • Infection

  • Delayed physiotherapy

  • Underlying conditions like diabetes or osteoporosis


Classification of Fracture Complications

Fracture complications are broadly classified into:

  1. Immediate complications

  2. Early complications

  3. Late complications


1️⃣ Immediate Complications of Fracture

These occur at the time of injury.


✅ Neurovascular Injury

  • Damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels

  • Leads to numbness, tingling, paralysis, or reduced circulation

  • Common in fractures of the humerus, clavicle, and femur


✅ Soft Tissue Injury

  • Damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or skin

  • May delay healing and increase stiffness


✅ Compartment Syndrome

  • Increased pressure within muscle compartments

  • Causes severe pain, swelling, and loss of function

  • Medical emergency


2️⃣ Early Complications of Fracture

These occur within days or weeks after injury.

🔹 Infection (Osteomyelitis)

  • Common in open fractures

  • Symptoms include pain, fever, swelling, and discharge

  • Delays healing and requires prolonged care


🔹 Delayed Union

  • Fracture takes longer than expected to heal

  • Caused by poor blood supply, smoking, diabetes, or inadequate immobilisation


🔹 Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  • Blood clot formation due to prolonged immobilisation

  • Common in lower limb fractures


3️⃣ Late Complications of Fracture

These occur months after injury and are most commonly seen in physiotherapy clinics.


Non-Union

  • The fracture fails to heal completely

  • Persistent pain and instability

  • Causes:

    • Poor fixation

    • Infection

    • Excessive movement

  • Requires long-term physiotherapy and sometimes surgery


Malunion

  • A fracture heals in the wrong position

  • Leads to:

    • Limb deformity

    • Shortening

    • Altered biomechanics

  • Causes difficulty in walking, lifting, or performing daily activities


Joint Stiffness

One of the most common complications seen at Physio360.

  • Occurs due to prolonged immobilisation

  • Common in:

    • Shoulder

    • Elbow

    • Wrist

    • Knee

    • Ankle

Early physiotherapy is key to preventing stiffness


Muscle Weakness & Atrophy

  • Loss of muscle strength due to disuse

  • Affects balance, coordination, and endurance

  • Requires structured strengthening exercises


Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

  • Chronic pain condition after fracture

  • Symptoms:

    • Severe pain

    • Swelling

    • Skin colour and temperature changes

  • Early diagnosis and physiotherapy are crucial


Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

  • Bone death due to loss of blood supply

  • Common in:

    • Femoral neck fractures

    • Scaphoid fractures

  • Leads to joint collapse if untreated


Risk Factors for Fracture Complications

✔ Delayed medical care

✔ Poor nutrition

✔ Smoking and alcohol use

✔ Diabetes mellitus

✔ Osteoporosis

✔ Prolonged immobilisation

✔ Lack of physiotherapy


Role of Physiotherapy in Preventing Fracture Complications

At Physio360 Chennai, physiotherapy plays a vital role in both the prevention and management of fracture complications.

🟢 Physiotherapy Benefits

  • Improves blood circulation

  • Reduces pain and swelling

  • Prevents joint stiffness

  • Restores muscle strength

  • Improves balance and coordination

  • Promotes faster and safer recovery


Physiotherapy Management at Physio360

🏥 Our Approach Includes:

✅ Pain management modalities

✅ Range of motion exercises

✅ Muscle strengthening programs

✅ Joint mobilisation techniques

✅ Gait training and balance exercises

✅ Functional and ADL training

✅ Post-fracture rehabilitation protocols

Each program is customised based on fracture type, healing stage, and patient condition.


When Should You Start Physiotherapy After a Fracture?

🔹 As early as medically advised

🔹 Even during immobilisation (adjacent joint movements)

🔹 Immediately after cast removal or surgery

Early physiotherapy = fewer complications



Why Choose Physio360 for Post-Fracture Rehabilitation?

🌟 Experienced physiotherapists

🌟 Evidence-based treatment protocols

🌟 Advanced rehabilitation equipment

🌟 Personalised care plans

🌟 Focus on fast, safe, and complete recovery


Final Thoughts

Fractures may seem simple, but their complications can be life-altering if ignored. Proper medical care combined with early and structured physiotherapy is essential for optimal recovery.

At Physio360, we believe that movement is medicine, and timely rehabilitation can prevent long-term disability after fractures.


📍 Visit Physio360 – Advanced Physiotherapy Centre, Chennai

📞 Book your post-fracture physiotherapy consultation today.


REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ARTICLE ;

1.Fracture complicationshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692947/.


 
 
 

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