Fractures Flashcards
Closed fracture
When the broken bone does not break the skin
Open fracture
When the bone breaks in such a way that the bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone 
Simple fracture
A closed (often transverse) fracture where the bone breaks into pieces
Transverse fracture
A fracture with a horizontal fracture line
Comminuted fracture 
A fracture in which the bone fragments into several pieces
Oblique fracture
A fracture in which the break is at an angle to the bones axis
Greenstick fracture
An incomplete fracture in which the bone is bent; this type of fracture occurs often and children.
Due to the bones, not being fully developed
Impacted fracture
One who’s ends are driven into each other this, occurs with the arm fractures in children
Spiral fracture’s
The result of an extreme twisting force being exerted on a bone.
Example a gymnast landing while her body is still turning
Compression fractures (vertebral compression fractures)
Due to trauma or osteoporosis, where the weakend vertebrae collapses 
Depressed skull fracture
A break in a cranial bone (or crushed portion of skull) with depression of the bone in toward the brain
Linear fractures
A break that runs parallel to the bones mean axis, or in the direction of the bone shaft
Pathological fracture
Fracture caused by disease that led to weakness of the bone structure; this process is most commonly due to osteoporosis
Stress fractures
Tiny cracks in a bone caused by the repetitive application of force, often by overuse
Colle’s fracture
A fracture of the distal radius
