describing a fracture Flashcards
fracture of long bone is described
- according to the site of bone involved: proximal, middle or distal third
- according to the type of bone involved: epiphyseal, metaphysical, diaphysial
a fracture at the end of the bone (metahphyseal or epiphyseal)
can be intra-articular (extending to joint) or extra-articular
intra-articular have a greater risk of
stiffness, pain and secondary osteoarthritis
what does the position of a fracture depend on
the degree of displacement and the degree of angulation
definition of displacement
describes the direction of translation of the distal fragment of bone and is described using anatomical terms
description of displacement
anterior, posterior, medially or laterally displaced
whats the exception to the anatomical terms used in displacement
in the forearm and hand
- anterior displacement becomes= palmar or volar
- posterior displacement becomes= dorsal
- medial displacement becomes= ulnar
- lateral displacement becomes= radial
what are all forearm and hand displacement terms described in relation too
the anatomical position
how is displacement estimated
with reference to the width of the bone, i.e. can be 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% displaced etc
what is 100% displacement also known as
off-ended fracture
angulation definition
describes the direction in which the distal fragment points towards and the degree of this deformity described as anterior posterior, medial and lateral
exception to the anatomical terms used in angulation
- in arm and forearm again changes to volar/palmar, dorsal, ulnar, radial
- in lower limb varus and valgus are used instead of medial and lateral
varus angulation
distal fragment is angled towards the midline
valgus angulation
distal fragment is angled away from the midline
how is angulation measured
in degrees from the longitudinal axis of the diaphysis of a long bone
