Describing Fractures Flashcards
Seven phases in describing a fracture?
- Mechanism and energy of injury
- Skin and soft tissue involvement?
- Site
- Shape
- Comminution
- Deformity
- Associated injuries
What should be considered when describing the site of a fracture?
Side affected
Limb
Bone(s)
Region
Any articular involvement e.g. intra-articular or dislocation etc.
How can you tell if an x-ray if of a child?
Can see bone growth plates
What is meant by a open or closed fracture?
Open fracture is where the bone goes through the tissues and skin
What is the shorthand for fracture?
#
What the three types of simple fractures?
Transverse
Oblique
Spiral
What are the two types of complex #?
Segmental
Comminuted
Give an example of a type of comminuted #.
Butterfly segment fracture
What is meant by a simple fracture?
Bone is in two pieces
What is a transverse # usually caused by?
Direct trauma e.g. blow
What are spiral fractures caused by?
Twisting injury- rotational force
->valid point which is interesting, in terms of child safety etc. always interesting to see how the parent describes the child as getting the fracture. If it’s a spiral fractures and the parent says something was dropped on the arm, this CANNOT happen
Transverse fractures?
When bone is broken at an angle, often makes bone shorter as can shear down one side
Complex fractues?
Bone is in several pieces
->more severe injury, lots of force
What is meant by displacement of a #?
Bone has moved more than a few mm
Could be medial or lateral, or dorsal or volar
If there is displacement, what else do you need to describe?
What has happened distal and proximal to the bone
