Fracture Physiology Flashcards
What are the stages of fracture healing?
- Haematoma - Soft callus - Bony callus - Remodelling
Outline the haematoma stage.
- Blood vessels in the broken bone tear and haemorrhage, resulting in the formation of clotted blood at the site of the break - The bleeding vessels then clot and stop
Outline the soft callus stage.
- Capillaries grow into the haematoma - Macrophages clear the debris - Fibroblasts make collagen - Osteoblasts make sponge bone
Outline the bony callus stage.
- Soft callus is reformed into a bony callus
Outline the remodelling stage.
- Bony callus remodelled into bone by osteoblasts and osteoclasts
How long can remodelling take?
Months to years
How can fractures be classified?
PAID Pattern Anatomical position Intra/extra-articular Deformity
What are the possible patterns of a fracture?
• Transverse • Oblique • Spiral • Multifragmentary • Crush • Greenstick • Avulsion
What deformities may be present (distal relative to proximal)?
• Translation • Angulation or tilt • Rotation • Impaction (shortening)
What classification is used in hip fractures?
Garden
What is Salter-Harris classification used for?
Fractures involving the growth plate of a bone
What classification is used in ankle fractures?
Weber’s
What is a Smith’s fracture?
- Radius #- Distal moves anteriorly/volar - Fall on flexed wrist
What is a Colle’s fracture?
- Radius #- Distal moves posteriorly (fork) - FOOSH (Extended wrist)
What is a monteggia fracture?
Fracture of the proximal third of the ulna with dislocation of the proximal head of the radius.