Fractures Flashcards
Forces that can act on a fracture
Bending
Torsion
Compression
Shearing
Tension
Bending works by
Results in angulation of the bone
Breaks occurs opposite where force is applied
HBC, kicking, most common
Torsion works by
Rotation of the bone
Tends to cause a spiral fracture
Caught on something
Compression breaks bone by
Opposing forces acting on a bone
A fall
Tension breaks bone by
Results in distraction (pulling apart)
Called avulsion fractures
Most often occurs at tendon or ligament attachments on bone
Shearing breaks bone by
When a force is parallel to each other
Dragged by vehicle, an uncontrolled break
Are bones always broken by one or more forces
Bone fractures are often caused by multiple forces
Need to know which force caused the fracture
This force needs to be controlled to promote healing
How is Bone is viscoelastic
If a forces is applied slowly, bone has a greater ability to flex before breaking
If a force is applied quickly, less force is required to fracture the bone
Classification of fractures Based on
Whether or not the bone has penetrated the skin
Appearance of or geometry of fracture
Positioning of fractured bone with respect to each other
Where on the bone the fracture is occurring
Whether or not there is underlying bone pathology
Closed fracture
The fractured bone has not penetrated the skin
Open fracture
Previously called compound
The fractured bone has gone through the skin
Always considered infected- considered an emergency
Incomplete fractures are also known as
Cracks
Fissure fractures
Very good prognosis
Greenstick fractures is
A type of incomplete fracture
Only occur in young animals due to elasticity of bone
Young animals heal quickly
Comminuted fractures is
The bone has fractured into more than two pieces
Butterfly fragment
Comminuted fracture
A triangular or wedge shaped bone fragment
Physeal fractures are
Fractures along the physeal plat (growth plate)
Transverse fracture
The fracture occurs in a relatively straight line
Perpendicular to the (long axis) length of the bone
Oblique factures are
The fracture line is not perpendicular to the long axis of the bone
Classified as
Short oblique
Long oblique
Long oblique fracture is different form short by
- the fracture line is at least twice the diameter of the bone at that point