Fractures Flashcards
what is a fracture?
-break in continuity of bone
_____ are the most common bone lesion
fractures
fractures have many ________ for example
classifications for example cause, location, pattern(of actual fracture) & type
what are the 2 simple classifications for fractures?
simple (closed) fracture
compound (open) fracture
if skin is broken compound fracture if skin intact simple fracture
what is the etiology and patho of fractures?
- force overload
- from 3 categories:
- trauma
- fatigue/stress (marathon runner, force usually can handle but cannot handle after many hours)
- Pathologic (ex. osteoporosis-widespread or malignancy -more localized)
manifestations of fracture
- pain
- soft tissue injury
- hemorrhage (with fracture there will always be hemorrhaging because bone is richly vascularized, may or may not see bleeding, if vessels severed within bone wont see, vessels surrounding tissue severed will see bleeding)
- deformity
- loss of function
Diagnosing fracture
-hx, px
-x-ray (x-ray will show/reveal complete fracture)
x-ray will be repeated at intervals to look at healing process
how do you treat a fracture?
- reduce (bring to alignment) & stabilize
- immobilization
- may have to insert surgical pins to hold in place
- ensure once bone has healed limb is still mobile (healing will take long time) need physiotherapy to work on mobilizing to be able to restore function)
- preserve & restore function
what does reduction mean when treating a fracture?
reduction =bring bones back to original position
Classification of fractures by type?
greenstick:
- fracture in children
- 1 broken + 1 bent surface
Comminuted:
-multiple pieces at one site
pathologic:
- d/t a bone disorder (eg. osteoporosis, bone cancer) (some pathology gives rise to fracture)
what is a greenstick fracture?
greenstick:
- fracture in children
- 1 broken + 1 bent surface
what is a comminuted fracture?
multiple pieces at one site
what is a pathologic fracture?
-d/t a bone disorder (eg. osteoporosis, bone cancer) (some pathology gives rise to fracture)
classification of fracture by pattern?
longitudinal:
- longitudinal break
oblique:
- breaks at a 45 degree angle
- d/t a twisting force
classification of fracture by appearance
Burst:
- multiple bone pieces at break (same as comminuted)
- usually at end of bone
chip:
- small fragment near joint
Displaced:
-bone separates at fracture line
(also impacted-if fall impact head of bone)