We all know what it’s like to get sick. Coming down with a cold, the flu or an infection is commonplace and, while it may be unpleasant, we know how to treat ourselves and feel better fast. That might not be the case when it comes to injuries!

While scrapes and bruises from time to time are not a big deal, injuries like broken bones can be really painful and even a little scary to experience. If you slip and fall or trip over something in your house and a searing pain shoots through your ankle, it might be more than just a sprain or strain.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains more about how we diagnose and treat fractures below.

How Is a Partial Fracture Different Than a Full Break?

Our bones are tough, there is no doubt about it. They have the really important job of holding structure for our bodies as well as protecting our organs from damage. That means they need to be able to withstand regular everyday life. Minor bumps, falls and impacts are usually absorbed by your bones with no issue, but serious falls or impacts can be a different story.

If the fall is severe enough, the force exerted on your bone will cause it to snap or break completely. However, remember that our bones are built to be strong, so a crack could occur before the bone fully breaks. Broken bones are usually pretty obvious, but partial fractures can be harder to identify. If you have localized pain, swelling or the injury site is tender to touch and movement, come see us for an X-ray.

Common Fracture Sites

• Wrists
• Ankles
• Hips
• Clavicle (collarbone)

How Is a Fracture Diagnosed on an X-ray?

We are grateful to have state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology at our center to help us diagnose you faster! Digital X-rays take the same X-ray image as traditional technology, except this image is uploaded onto a computer rather than developed on film. This allows us to zoom in on the image with much better clarity, and we can get a better look at the injury site.

X-rayed bones appear white, so if your bone has a dark space in it or on the edge, that tells us that you have a fracture! If you do have a fractured bone, we will discuss treatment options and care instructions so that you can ensure a full recovery in no time.

Why an X-ray Is Important for Fractures

• Fast diagnosis
• Clear and precise images
• Quick turnaround
• Faster healing

Our X-ray technology can help you feel better faster. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia for an X-ray today.