Fracture Classification CAL Flashcards
Which bones are classed as long bones?
Humerus Ulna Radius Femur Tibia Fibula
Name bones which would NOT be classes as long bones?
Pelvis Skull Vertebrae Ribs Metatarsals/ carpus Tarsal/ carpal
What is the physis?
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.
Describe the difference between an open and a closed fracture.
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.
What is a Grade 2 open fracture?
Fracture with skin wound >1cm and soft tissue damage.
What is a Grade 1 open fracture?
Fracture with skin wound <1cm but that can be treated as clean (no contamination)
What is a Grade 3 open fracture?
Fracture with extensive damage to the skin and surrounding tissues.
What is a simple fracture?
Only 1 fracture line, bone is split into only 2 pieces.
What is an interdigitating transverse fracture?
Fracture surface is irregular with spikes and depressions on both ends of fractured bone that “interdigitate” with each other.
What classifies a fracture as transverse or oblique?
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.
What is a spiral fracture?
Fracture line curves/ spirals around the bone
What are the features of a comminuted fracture?
There is more than 1 fracture line
May have multiple joining fractures
There are 3 or more pieces of bone
What are the features of a segmental fracture?
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
What is a butterfly fracture?
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.
Explain the features of a fissure fracture?
Complete crack in one part of the cortex
Bone is cracked but there is minimal separation
Usually only occurs in adult bone
Explain the features of a greenstick fracture?
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.
What is the Salter Harris classification system used for?
It is for the classification of physeal fractures in young animals.
What is a type IV Salter Harris Fracture?
A physical fracture plus epiphyseal and metaphyseal fractures.
What is a type I Salter Harris Fracture?
A complete physical fracture with or without displacement.
What is a type II Salter Harris Fracture?
A physeal fracture that extends through the metaphysis producing a chip fracture of the metaphysis which may be very small.
What is a type V Salter Harris Fracture?
A compression fracture of the growth plate.
What is a type III Salter Harris Fracture?
A physeal fracture that extends through the epiphysis.
If a fracture involves a joint surface what is it referred to as?
An articular fracture.
Also… Salter Harris Type 3 & 4 if patient is immature or just articular if the patient is skeletally mature.
Can a diaphyseal fracture also be classed as an articular fracture?
Yes. If it is comminuted including epiphysis or if there is a fissure line that extends to the epiphysis
Describe a stable fracture.
After reduction, bones remain in place without force and will resist compression.
Describe an unstable fracture.
Fragments do not interlock - collapse once retaining force is withdrawn and do not resist compression.
What is the difference between a traumatic fracture and a pathological fracture?
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.
What is the veterinary term for a compound fracture?
Open fracture. Compound fracture is a human term.
What is the veterinary term for a complex fracture?
Comminuted fracture. Complex fracture is a human term.
What do you call a fracture involving more than one bone?
Multiple fractures
How would the degree of over-riding bone be described?
none / mild / moderate / severe
How would displacement be described?
Displacement is described using the distal segment relative to the proximal i.e cranial / caudal / lateral or medial.
