NRSG258: Acute Care - Identifying and Treating Fracture Complications

This report identifies potential complications arising from fractures, specifically in the context of a 15-year-old patient, Matt, who sustained a severe leg fracture. The primary complications discussed include compartment syndrome, pin site infection, osteomyelitis, malunion, and refracture. The report details the causes and potential treatments for each complication, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing these issues in acute care settings. References to relevant research articles are provided to support the discussion of each complication and their management.

COMPLICATIONS OF FRACTURES
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Complications of fracture
• There are several complications that can arise as result of fractures.
• The most likely complications in the case of Matt include;
• Compartment syndrome which is due to increased pressure leading to
damage of blood vessels.
• Pin site infection due to percutaneous wires and complicates external
fixation(Chitnis, Vanderkarr, Sparks, McGlohorn, & Holy, 2018). They
can be treated using antibiotics.

• Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone in many ways. The infection
can spread from another part of the body to the bone (Johnson et al.,
2014).In the case of Matt ,it can happen if bacteria infiltrate the open
wound especially of the staphylococcus strain.
• Malunion is another complication associated with fractures .It takes
place if the fracture heals in a deformed state or position.
• Refracture is a complication where the bone that initially had a
fracture experience the same fate again(Sharma et al., 2014) .It
happens if the initial fracture does not heal properly.

References
Chitnis, A., Vanderkarr, M., Sparks, C., McGlohorn, J., & Holy, C. (2018).
Complications, Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs Associated with Type III
Open Fractures of the Tibial Shaft Requiring Open Reduction and Internal Fixation.
Value in Health, 21, S177. doi:10.1016/j.jval.2018.04.1179
Johnson, N., Cutler, L., Dias, J., Ullah, A., Wildin, C., & Bhowal, B. (2014).
Complications after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. Injury,
45(3), 528-533. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2013.10.003
Sharma, H., Khare, G. N., Singh, S., Ramaswamy, A. G., Kumaraswamy, V., &
Singh, A. K. (2014). Outcomes and complications of fractures of distal radius (AO
type B and C): volar plating versus nonoperative treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic
Science, 19(4), 537-544. doi:10.1007/s00776-014-0560-0