Definitions FRACTURES Flashcards
- Refers to a sliding of the fracture fragments (e.g. the broken ends)
- Described in % and direction that the distal fragment has slid from its normal position
translation
e.g. 50% translation (the two ends only meet at half their widths) or 100% translation with 1 cm shortening (one end has slid past the other by 1 cm)
- Refers to an angular deformity of the fracture
* Described by the direction and amount (in degrees) of displacement from the normal axis of the distal fragment
angulation
when union has not occurred after 6 months
nonunion
the relationship of fracture fragments to one another
apposition
a “fatigue” fracture caused by overuse
stress fracture
Caused by underlying bone disease such as osteoporosis, tumor, cyst, etc.
Suspect this when fracture occurs with little or no trauma
pathologic fracture
fracture in which bone has broken into several pieces
comminuted fracture
fracture across a long bone, perpendicular to length of bone (opposite of longitudinal fracture)
transverse fracture
fracture angled through long bone, neither transverse nor longitudinal
oblique fracture
one side of the bone is fractured (gap visible) and the other side is just buckled
greenstick fracture
there is no break of the bone, only a buckling
torus/buckle fracture
~a process that involves the removal of mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by the formation of bone matrix through the osteoblasts that subsequently become mineralized
remodeling
bony and cartilaginous material forming a connecting bridge across a bone fracture during repair
callus
physis is separated on imaging or
localized pain with normal imaging
Salter-Harris I
fracture involves metaphysis, extends into physis
Salter-Harris II
fracture involves epiphysis, extends into physis
Salter-Harris III
fracture involves metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis
Salter-Harris IV
physis is compressed
Salter-Harris V
~fracture of the distal radius caused by falling onto extended hands
~distal fragment is displaced DORSALLY
Colles fracture
~”reverse Colles fracture”
~fracture of the distal radius caused by falling onto flexed hands (or direct blow to forearm)
~distal fragment is displaced VOLARLY
Smith fracture
closed, displaced fracture of the neck of the 4th and/or 5th metacarpal
boxer fracture
fracture of the base of the first metacarpal (thumb joint) that also often results in dislocation of the metacarpal
Bennett fracture
elevation of soft tissue over a fracture (e.g. swelling or tissue displacement) that can indicate a fracture (especially in kids) even when fracture is not visible on imaging
fat pad sign
Pediatric fractures that involve the physis are described using the ____________ classification.
Salter-Harris
When union has occurred but it is nonfunctional or unacceptable in some way
malunion
