We’ve seen many cases where a simple fracture or sprain became complicated because the patient waited too long to seek treatment. It’s easy to downplay an injury when life is busy, money’s tight, or you think it’ll heal on its own.
But fractures and sprains can lead to deformities or proper dysfunction of the injured limb or joint if left untreated. Your mobility and comfort rely on timely action.
At the Aether Health’s emergency room in Kingwood, we’re equipped with advanced imaging and board-certified physicians to provide immediate care for fractures and sprains. Our facility is open 24/7 to get you on the fastest path back to pain-free movement.
9 Problems You Can Avoid with Immediate Care for Fractures & Sprains
Delaying treatment for fractures and sprains can lead to numerous complications. Seek prompt medical attention at to avoid:
- Improper Healing: The bone has its natural way of healing on its own. When you don’t go to the emergency room for proper alignment, it’ll start healing in the wrong position (malunion). Worse, some fractures don’t heal at all (nonunion).
- Deformities: Malunion and nonunion can cause visible deformities and impair proper bone function.
- Further injury: Untreated fractures and sprains can lead to long-term joint instability. This makes you more prone to future injuries.
- Loss of Mobility: Neglecting ligament damage can result in stiffness and reduced muscle strength. It may also permanently limit your movement. Only a complex surgery can fix it.
- Chronic Pain: A broken bone left untreated can cause lifelong pain because the joint doesn’t heal in a proper position.
- Infection Risks: Open fractures (where the bone pierces the skin) are at high risk of getting serious infections as severe as sepsis.
- Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage: Some fractures can press on nearby nerves or blood vessels. If left untreated, this could lead to numbness, poor circulation, or compartment syndrome.
- Arthritis Risk: Severe sprains or joint fractures increase the risk of early-onset arthritis if not treated timely.
- Getting Back to Normal Faster: When fractures are treated promptly, the healing process starts sooner. This means less downtime and a quicker return to your daily activities.
Do Fractures and Sprains Require the Same Emergency Care?
Fractures and sprains affect different parts of the musculoskeletal system. Both require prompt medical attention, but the severity and treatment of these injuries can vary.
Fractures happen when a bone breaks partially or completely. The symptoms include severe pain even at rest, visible deformity, crunching sound, or tenderness around the injury site. Fractures require immediate emergency care to prevent further damage and complications.
In contrast, sprains involve injury to the ligaments that hold your joints together. While less painful than fractures, sprains can still cause swelling, bruising, and limited joint mobility. Ligaments play a crucial role in joint stability, so prompt treatment is essential.
If you’re unsure whether you have a fracture or sprain, err on the side of caution. Our experienced ER physicians can quickly diagnose the issue and provide targeted treatment to support proper healing and prevent long-term joint problems.
How Kingwood ER Deals with Fracture & Sprain
When you walk into Kingwood ER with a fracture or sprain, here’s what makes our care stand out:
1. Expert Diagnostics
We use advanced imaging tools; X-rays, MRIs and CT scans to get a clear picture. It helps us check if a bone is broken, deformed, or abnormal so we can start our treatment accordingly.
2. Pain Relief
We know you’re hurting and we manage your pain right away. We offer a range of pain relief options, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as non-pharmacological therapies like ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.
3. Immobilization
Depending on the severity of your fracture, we may use various techniques to immobilize the affected area:
● Braces or Wraps:
Lightweight braces, bandages, or wraps help stabilize the joint and prevent further injury.
● Crutches:
If your injury affects weight-bearing joints like the ankle or knee, we provide crutches to help you move around without putting stress on the injured area.
● Splints or Casts:
For more serious fractures or sprains, we may apply a splint or cast to keep the affected area in a fixed position. Splints are often used for less severe injuries, while casts provide more comprehensive immobilization for complex fractures.
● Traction:
In some cases, traction may be necessary to help realign the bone before immobilization. Our experienced physicians are trained in various traction techniques to ensure proper alignment and promote healing.
4. Infection Prevention
Expert doctors and nurses at Kingwood ER clean open fractures thoroughly with saline to prevent infection. After stabilizing the bone, we use atraumatic sutures to close the wound without tension. Cover the wound with sterile dressings until sutures are removed. Antibiotics before, during, and after surgery are carefully administered.
5. R.I.C.E Protocol
The RICE protocol is a first-aid treatment for sprain that involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. We keep the area at rest using splints or crutches. Then apply a pack of ice to reduce swelling. Compression is to wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage. Lastly, elevate the affected body part above the level of your heart.
6. 24/7 Care
Accidents don’t keep regular hours. Kingwood ER stands ready 24/7 to provide immediate care without the long wait times of a regular hospital.
For complex or displaced fractures, we provide immediate stabilization and pain management. After thorough assessment with advanced imaging, we’ll help you connect with trusted orthopedic specialists for surgical procedures like ORIF when needed.
Get Help Right Away for Fractures and Sprains
Ignoring fractures and sprains could lead to chronic pain, lifelong mobility issues, or complications that are way harder (and more expensive) to fix later on. So don’t compromise on your life’s quality. You’ve got places to be, people to see, and things to do. Injuries happen, but with the right care at ER Kingwood, you can get back to living life without limitations.
Get back on your feet faster, with less hassle and cost at Kingwood ER.
FAQs
1. When Should You Come to Kingwood ER?
If the pain keeps getting worse, and the injured area looks bent, swollen, or bruised it’s time to come in. Sometimes, injuries come with problems like bleeding, numbness, or a strange tingling feeling. If you can’t move the injured arm, leg, or joint, that’s a big red flag. Don’t guess or hope it will get better in such a situation and reach the ER quickly.
2. What should you avoid after a fracture or sprain?
For the first 48–72 hours, skip heat or hot rubs—heat can make swelling worse and slow down healing. Massage may seem helpful, but it can increase swelling and cause more harm right after the injury. Try to keep the injured area still. Moving it too soon can cause further injuries. Don’t try to straighten or push a bone back in—leave that to the professionals.
