Fractures and Bone Disorders Flashcards
What does a fracture mean?
Break in a bone
How are fractures classified?
1) Position of bone
2) Completeness of Break
3) Skin Penetration
What does non-displaced vs displaced bone mean?
Non displaced = bone ends are in normal position
displaced = end of bone out of alignment
What does complete vs incomplete break mean?
Complete = bone is entirely broken through
incomplete = bone is only partially broken (hairline fracture)
What is closed vs open fracture?
Closed (simple) = does not penetrate the skin
Open (compound) = bone penetrates skin
What are the names of the common types of fractures?
Comminuted, Greenstick, Impacted, Pott, and Colles
What is a comminuted fracture?
Bone is broken into many pieces
What is a greenstick fracture?
Partial fracture; one side looks bendy => common in children
What is an impacted fracture?
One end of bone driven into another part of bone
What is a Pott’s fracture?
Ankle fracture specifically of the bumps on each ankle; common from falling awkwardly or twisting the ankle
What is a Colle’s fracture
Distal end of the radius; typically from using the hand to break a fall
What are the two ways to repair displaced bones (ends not aligned)
Closed Reduction and Open Reduction
What is closed reduction?
Physician manually coaxes bone ends back into position
What is open reduction?
Bone ends surgically secured with pins/wires
Explain how fracture healing occurs here?
A hematoma (bruise) forms when the fracture intially occurs. Then a bunch of fibrocartilage calluses form in that area to cover the blood. Thirdly bony callus forms that replace the fibrocartilage. Finally, remodelling occurs which removes unnecessary bumps to fix the bone shape