Fracture Classification CAL

Question 1

Which bones are classed as long bones?

Answer 1

Humerus
Ulna
Radius
Femur
Tibia
Fibula

Question 2

Name bones which would NOT be classes as long bones?

Answer 2

Pelvis
Skull
Vertebrae
Ribs
Metatarsals/ carpus
Tarsal/ carpal

Question 3

What is the physis?

Answer 3

The growth plate, or physis, is the translucent, cartilaginous disc separating the epiphysis from the metaphysis and is responsible for longitudinal growth of long bones. Only found in growing animals.

Question 4

Describe the difference between an open and a closed fracture.

Answer 4

A closed fracture has no skin wounds and does not communicate with outside.

An open fracture will have a skin wound and does communicate with outside causing potential contamination and infection.

Question 5

What is a Grade 2 open fracture?

Answer 5

Fracture with skin wound >1cm and soft tissue damage.

Question 6

What is a Grade 1 open fracture?

Answer 6

Fracture with skin wound <1cm but that can be treated as clean (no contamination)

Question 7

What is a Grade 3 open fracture?

Answer 7

Fracture with extensive damage to the skin and surrounding tissues.

Question 8

What is a simple fracture?

Answer 8

Only 1 fracture line, bone is split into only 2 pieces.

Question 9

What is an interdigitating transverse fracture?

Answer 9

Fracture surface is irregular with spikes and depressions on both ends of fractured bone that “interdigitate” with each other.

Question 10

What classifies a fracture as transverse or oblique?

Answer 10

Transverse - Fracture angle = less than or equal to 30 degrees, perpendicular to the long axis of bone.

Oblique - Fracture angle = greater than 30 degrees perpendicular to the long axis of bone.

Question 11

What is a spiral fracture?

Answer 11

Fracture line curves/ spirals around the bone

Question 12

What are the features of a comminuted fracture?

Answer 12

There is more than 1 fracture line

May have multiple joining fractures

There are 3 or more pieces of bone

Question 13

What are the features of a segmental fracture?

Answer 13

There are 2 or more fracture lines that DO NOT CONNECT

Each bone is a complete piece of cortex

There are 3 or more pieces of bone

Question 14

What is a butterfly fracture?

Answer 14

A butterfly fracture results from two oblique fracture lines meeting to create a large triangular or wedge-shaped fragment located between the proximal and distal fracture fragments, and resembles a butterfly.

Question 15

Explain the features of a fissure fracture?

Answer 15

Complete crack in one part of the cortex

Bone is cracked but there is minimal separation

Usually only occurs in adult bone

Question 16

Explain the features of a greenstick fracture?

Answer 16

The bone is NOT completely fractured

Fracture line is present in part of the cortex

Usually only occurs in skeletally immature animals due to the periosteum being very thick, the cortical bone is more elastic and less brittle so the bone tends to bend rather than break.

Question 17

What is the Salter Harris classification system used for?

Answer 17

It is for the classification of physeal fractures in young animals.

Question 18

What is a type IV Salter Harris Fracture?

Answer 18

A physical fracture plus epiphyseal and metaphyseal fractures.

Question 19

What is a type I Salter Harris Fracture?

Answer 19

A complete physical fracture with or without displacement.

Question 20

What is a type II Salter Harris Fracture?

Answer 20

A physeal fracture that extends through the metaphysis producing a chip fracture of the metaphysis which may be very small.

Question 21

What is a type V Salter Harris Fracture?

Answer 21

A compression fracture of the growth plate.

Question 22

What is a type III Salter Harris Fracture?

Answer 22

A physeal fracture that extends through the epiphysis.

Question 23

If a fracture involves a joint surface what is it referred to as?

Answer 23

An articular fracture.

Also… Salter Harris Type 3 & 4 if patient is immature or just articular if the patient is skeletally mature.

Question 24

Can a diaphyseal fracture also be classed as an articular fracture?

Answer 24

Yes. If it is comminuted including epiphysis or if there is a fissure line that extends to the epiphysis

Question 25

Describe a stable fracture.

Answer 25

After reduction, bones remain in place without force and will resist compression.

Question 26

Describe an unstable fracture.

Answer 26

Fragments do not interlock - collapse once retaining force is withdrawn and do not resist compression.

Question 27

What is the difference between a traumatic fracture and a pathological fracture?

Answer 27

A traumatic fracture is due to something like a fall or a trauma caused by a vehicle.

A pathological fracture is due to an underlying bone disease which causes weakening of the bone e.g. Bone tumour, Bone cyst, Hyperparathyroidism, Rickets etc.

Question 28

What is the veterinary term for a compound fracture?

Answer 28

Open fracture. Compound fracture is a human term.

Question 29

What is the veterinary term for a complex fracture?

Answer 29

Comminuted fracture. Complex fracture is a human term.

Question 30

What do you call a fracture involving more than one bone?

Answer 30

Multiple fractures

Question 31

How would the degree of over-riding bone be described?

Answer 31

none / mild / moderate / severe

Question 32

How would displacement be described?

Answer 32

Displacement is described using the distal segment relative to the proximal i.e cranial / caudal / lateral or medial.