Fractures Flashcards
Fractures may result from…
- single, highly stressful, traumatic incident (traumatic #)
- repetitive stress of normal degree persisting to point of mechanical fatigue (stress #)
- normal stress acting on an abnormally weakened bone (pathological #)
What are the fracture types?
- closed/open (simple/compound)
- complete/incomplete
- complicated
Describe a closed fracture.
Bone doesn’t communicate externally
Describe an open fracture.
Fractured bone or penetrating object communicates externally. Greater amount of soft tissue damage and issue of pathogens/infection.
Describe a complicated fracture.
Blood vessels, nerves or organs suffer significant damage.
Describe a complete fracture.
Bone is completely broken into 2 separate parts.
- Transverse
- Oblique
- Spiral
- Segmental
- Avulsion
What is a comminuted fracture?
Bone is broken into more than two fragments.
Describe an incomplete fracture.
Bone is divided but the periosteum remains in continuity. E.g. greenstick #, compression #, stress #
What is a pathological fracture?
Due to a disease:
- osteoporosis
- Paget’s
- infection
- tumour
What is a physeal fracture?
Damage through the growth plate that has long term consequences. Can cause progressive deformity. Harris-Salter classification system used.
What are the symptoms of a fracture?
- swelling, ecchymosis and deformity
- localized persistent pain
- marked or total loss of function
- localized bone tenderness
- crepitus
- may be sudden or insidious onset depending on #
How are fractures diagnosed?
- examination and palpation of tender point and surrounding tissue
- neurovascular assessment
- radiographs (new # may not show immediately)
- CT, spiral CT, MRI
- bone scans
- ultrasound or vibration
What does fracture management involve?
Fracture reduction, immobilisation and rehabilitation
How is a fracture immobilized?
- internal or external fixture
- splints/casts/strapping and walking aids
- screws, k-wires, plates
How are fracture rehabilitated?
With joint mobilization and exercises.