Simple Fracture
A break but everything is contained in the skin
Compound Fracture
One or more pieces protruding through the skin, skin is compromised
What are the 7 different types of fractures?
- Comminuted
- Compression
- Spiral
- Epiphyseal
- Depressed
- Greenstick
- Stress fractures
Comminuted Fracture
Bone shattered, into little pieces
Compression Fracture
Bone crushed
Spiral Fracture
Caused by excessive twisting
Epiphyseal Fracture
Epiphysis separates from diaphysis (affects growth of bone)
Depressed Fracture
Bone/part of bone pressed inward
Greenstick Fracture
Buckle fracture, bone doesn’t break all the way through, caused by one traumatic event
Stress Fracture
Overuse, long term, repetitive stress on that bone
Fracture Repair
Healing tales a few months or more and occurs in a series of steps
Steps in a Fracture Repair
- A fracture hematoma forms
- A fibrocartilaginous (soft) callus forms
- A hard (bony) callus forms
- The bone is remodeled
During aging, bone changes in two ways:
- Loses ability to produce organic matrix (mainly collagen)
- Loses calcium and other minerals (bone mineral density), osteopenia
Osteopenia
Loss of bone tissue
Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia can result in a decrease in bone mass called osteoporosis
- Bone tissue deteriorates at a faster rate than it is produced
- Compact bone becomes thinner, spongy bone has fewer trabeculae
- Causes bones to become porous, light, and weak (Bones are then more susceptible to fracture, Compression fractures of the vertebrae are very common)
Who is osteoporosis common in?
Elderly, especially post-menopausal women
Treatment for Osetoporosis
Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation, exercise, and hormone replacement
