HLTH 2501: trauma Flashcards
complete fracture
occurs when the bone is broken to form two or more separate pieces
incomplete fracture
occurs when the bone is only partially broken
greenstick fracture
is a incomplete fracture that is common in the softer bones of children; the shaft of the bone is bent, tearing on the cortical bone (outer layer)
open fracture
aka compound fracture; occurs when the skin is broken, as the bone fragments may be angled to protrude through the skin; there is lots of damage to soft tissues, including the blood vessels and nerves, as well as a higher risk of infection
fracture lines
simple fractures, segmental fracture, comminuted fracture, and compression fracture
simple fracture
is a single break in the bone in which the bone ends maintain their alignment and position
segmental fracture
occurs when several large bone fragments separate from the main body of a fractured bone
comminuted fracture
occurs when there are multiple fracture lines and bone fragments
compression fracture
common in the vertebrae and occur when a bone is crushed or collapses into small pieces
impacted fracutre
occurs when one end of the bone is force of telescoped into the adjacent bone
pathologic fracture
results from a weakness in the bone structure because of conditions such as a tumor or osteoporosis
stress fractures
result from repeated excessive stress, commonly in the tibia, femur, or second and third metatarsals
depressed fractures
occur in the skull when the broken section is forced inward on the brain
transverse fracture
is a fracture across the bone
linear fracture
is a break along the axis of the bone
oblique fracture
is a break at an angle to the diaphysis of the bone
spiral fracture
is a break that angles around the bone, usually caused by a twisting injury
colles fracture
is a break in the distal radius at the wrist; commonly occurs when someone tries to break a fall; ulna may also be damaged
pott fracture
refers to a fracture of the lower fibula because of excessive stress on the ankle, such as occurs when stepping down with force; tibia may also be damaged
what else happens when a bone breaks?
bleeding occurs from the vessels in the bone; inflammation develops around the bone; hematoma or clot forms in the medulla canal; necrosis occurs at the ends of broken bones
how do fractures heal?
hematoma serves as the basis for a fibrin network, in which granulation tissue grows; capillaries extend into here, and phagocytes clean up as fibroblasts lay down new collagen fibres and chondroblasts form new cartilage; osteoblasts will also work to generate new bone
procallus
aka fibrocartilaginous callus; holds two bones together and is a preliminary bridge to repair bone
bony callus
is formed by osteoblasts and is the replaced bone; eventually this is remodeled by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and more compact bone will be laid down
five stages of bone healing
hematoma, granulation tissue, procallus (fibrocartilage), bony callus, and remodelling
factors affecting the healing process in bone
amount of local damage done to bone and soft tissue, inflammation, how far apart the gaps of the bones are, foreign material or infection at the site, and systemic factors like anemia or circulatory problems
who heals fastest from bone breaks?
children, then adults, then the elderly
complications that may affect healing in patients with severe injuries
muscle spasms, infections, ischemia, compartment syndrome, fat emboli, nerve damage, failure to heal, and fractures in or near the joint
muscle spasms and healing
may occur as local pain and irritation cause strong contractions at the fracture site and may pull the bone fragments further out of position
results of muscle spasms for healing
fragments can be out of position, causing angulation, rotation, or overriding of bone pieces; soft tissue damage, bleeding, and inflammation may also occur
ischemia and healing
can occur in a cast as edema increases after injury; due to compression, the area may become pale, cold, or numb if the cast is too tight