1a. Fracture Classifications Flashcards
what is a complete fracture
what kind of person gets these fractures
involves both cortices of the bone
in adults
what is an incomplete fracture
what kind of person gets these fractures
involves one cortex of bone
in children (greenstick)
what is a torus fracture
is it compelte/incomplete
incomplete fracture type
buckling of the cortex (AKA buckle fracture)
what is a dislocation
is this a complete/partial disruption
body components of a joint are no longer in contact with each other
complete disruption
what is a subluxation
is this a complete/partial disruption
bony elements of the joint are partially in contact with each other
partial disruption of the joint
what are the 4 other factors to consider for fractures
direction of fracture line
relationship of fragments
number of fragments
communication with atmosphere
what are the 4 types of common bone fracture lines
transverse
oblique
spiral
comminuted
describe the appearance of a transverse fracture line
perpendicular to the long axis of the bone
what is a transverse fracture caused by
force perpendicular to the bone
describe the appearance of a oblique fracture line
at an oblique angle to the long axis of the bone
what is a oblique fracture caused by
caused by force in the same direction as the long axis of the bone or the direction of the fracture
describe the appearance of a spiral fracture line
twisting fracture
what is a spiral fracture caused by
caused by torque injury
eg planting foot in hole whilst running
describe the appearance of a longitudinal fracture line
vertical
what is a longitudinal fracture caused by
cranio-caudal forces = shear off
eg fall from a height
what is a impacted fracture caused by
when broken section is jammed together
what are the 2 terms used to refer to the number of fragments
when do you use the terminology
simple = 2 frag
comminuted = >2 frag
if its simple, dont need to say it, only name it when its >2
what causes comminuted fractures
high speed/impact injury
what are larger bone pieces named in a comminuted fracture
butterfly fragments
what is a stress fracture and how is it formed
microfractures from repetitive strain
what is an avulsion fracture and what causes it
tendon/ligament pulls of a piece of bone where it attaches
what is a pathological fracture
fracture that occurs due to pathology which often weakens the bone
what are the 4 terms to describe the relationship of fragments
displacement
angulation
shortening
rotation
what is displacement of fragments
amount of off set of the distal fragment relative to the proximal fragment
