Bone fractures Flashcards
What is the outer layer of the bone called?
Cortical bone
What is the inner/spongy layer of the bone called?
Cancellous bone
What are the 4 different shapes of bone?
Long
Short
Flat
Irregular
What is a fracture?
A break in the rigid structure of the bone as a result of applied pressure
What is a complete fracture?
Where bones are broken into separate pieces
What is an incomplete fracture?
Where the cortical bone is partially broken
Is an open fracture always considered contaminated or not?
Always considered contaminated
Pts will always require antibiotics
What should you of to uncontaminated an open bone fracture?
Only clean off gross contamination,
do not “squirt” lots of saline into the
injury using pressure. This drives
the contaminants further in and
loosens blood clots
What is critical skin?
When the skin is comprised and needs ‘reduction’.
What is a simple fracture?
Is a single break in a bone where the ends maintain their alignment and position.
What are the different types of simple fracture?
Transverse
Oblique
Spiral
Providing there is no displacement
What is a segmental fracture?
Is a break where several large bone fragments separate from the main body of fractured bone.
What is a comminuted fracture?
Is a break with multiple fractures and small bone pieces/fragments
What is a compression fracture?
Is where bone is crushed or collapses into small pieces, more common in vertebrae
What is a red flag for a compression fracture?
If a pt has cancer and has experienced acute lower back pain consider spinal cord compression. This is an emergency.
What is a depression fracture?
Is found in the skull where a section is broken and pushed inward from an outside impact.
Can be open or closed.
What is a red flag for depression fractures in children?
Think deliberate injury if baby is not mobile yet.
What is an impacted fracture?
Occurs when one end of the bone is forced into the adjacent bone.
What patients are at higher risk of impacted bone fractures?
Pts with degenerative bone conditions such as osteoporosis or long term steroid use.
What is a pathological fracture?
Results from a weakness in the bone such as a tumour.
This can be a spontaneous break and not always trauma related.
What is a greenstick fracture?
Is always trauma related.
A bending of the bone that has only minimal calcification. Often heals quickly.
What is a collet fracture?
A break in the distal radius of the wrist, commonly happens when someone breaks a fall with a hand. Sometimes the ulna is also damaged.
What is a potts fracture?
A fracture of the lower fibula due to excessive stress on the ankle, may also damage the tibia.
Often from people stepping down with force.
What is a hematoma in a fracture?
When a bone breaks, bleeding occurs from the blood vessels in the bone and periosteum.
This hepatoma forms under the periosteum and between the ends of the bone fragments.
Necrosis occurs at the end of the broken bone because the torn blood vessels are unable to continue delivery of nutrients.
This triggers the immune response causing tissue death and destruction.
