Fractures Flashcards
Which views are good for fractures?
Orthogonal rads (90 degree to each each other)
Include joints above and below
+/- oblique views
Significant feature of open fractures
SQ gas (opening of the skin → infection)
Incomplete fractures
When only one cortex is involved
1. greenstick- immature, minimal displacement
2. fatigue/ stress fractures
Transverse complete fracture
Fracture line is perpendicular to the long bone axis
Oblique fracture
Fracture lines runs less than 90 degrees to the long axis of the bone
Spiral fracture
Oblique fractures that wraps (spirals) around long axis of bone
Associated with torsional trauma
Comminuted fracture
At least 3 fracture fragments
Fracture lines communicate to a single point or plane
Segmental fracture
complete fractures x2
Fractures lines don’t interconnect
Avulsion
Caused by excessive force on a tendon, ligament or muscle
Fracture of bony prominence @ origin/ insertion of tendon, ligament, muscle
Physeal fractures
Involves open physis
Salter-Harris classification system developed by human physicians (adopted by animals)
Salter-Harris Types
1: Through the physis
2: Through the physis and metaphysis
3: Physis and epiphysis
4: physis, epiphysis and metaphysis
5: next slide
Salter- Harris Type 5
Crushing or compression fractures of the physis
Commonly causes of premature closure of physis → angular limb deformities
Not easily seen on rads
Chip fracture
Fracture fragment usually @ the corner of an articular margin
From direct bone trauma or hyperextension
Slab fracture
In cuboidal bones
Fracture margin extends from one joint surface to another
Delayed union
Subjective
Fracture is healing but not in the expected amount of time
Must consider severity, method of fixation and age
