S9) Classification of Fractures Flashcards
What are the different anatomical classes of bone?
Why are there different classifications of fractures?
- It suggests the severity and mechanics of injury that occurred
- It helps to formulate most suitable treatment
What is a transverse fracture?
A transverse fracture is a fracture in which the break is across the bone, at a right angle to the long axis of the bone e.g. tibia
What is an oblique fracture?
An oblique fracture is a fracture confined to one plane, occurring in an oblique direction to the long axis of the bones (broken at an angle) e.g. metatarsal
What is spiral fracture?
A spiral fracture is a fracture occurring in an oblique direction of the long axis of the bones, traversing both the planes (twisting injuries) e.g. tibia
What is a comminuted fracture?
A comminuted fracture is a fracture involving multiple breaks in the bone, visible as different fragments e.g. humerus
What is a segmental fracture?
A segmental fracture is a fracture where the bone is broken at two distinct levels e.g. tibia and fibula
What is a butterfly fracture?
A butterfly fracture is a fracture producing a wedge-shaped fragment of bone split from the main fragments e.g. ulna
What is a sagittal plane fracture?
A sagittal plane fracture is a fracture where the break line passes longitudinally along the long bone shaft in the sagittal plane e.g. tibia
What is an impacted fracture?
An impacted fracture is a fracture in which the ends are driven into each other e.g. humerus
What is a compression fracture?
A compression fracture is a fracture occurring in cancellous bone, when an excessive axial load compresses the bone beyond its limits e.g. vertebral bodies
What is a depressed fracture?
A depressed fracture is a fracture of the cortical bone caused by a localized force that breaks and depresses one segment below the level of surrounding bone e.g. bones of skull
What are incomplete and complete fractures?
- A complete fracture is a fracture where both cortices of the bone are interrupted
- An incomplete fracture is a fracture where only one cortex of the bone is interrupted
What is a greenstick fracture?
A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture in children in which the cortex and periosteum are broken on one side only e.g. forearm
What are stable and unstable fractures?
- An unstable fracture is a fracture which tend to displace after reduction
- A stable fracture is a fracture which remains in place after reduction
What are complicated and uncomplicated fractures?
- A complicated fracture is a fracture in which there is significant soft tissue damage to major nearby structures
- An uncomplicated fracture is a fracture in which there is only minimal soft tissue damage
What are extra-articular and intra-articular fractures?
- An intra-articular fracture is a fracture in which the fracture line extends into the joint space
- An extra-articular fracture is a fracture in which the fracture line does not enter the joint space
What are open and closed fractures?
- A closed fracture is a fracture in which the skin overlying the fracture site is intact
- An open fracture is a fracture in which the skin overlying the fracture site is broken
What is a pathological fracture?
A pathological fracture is a fracture which occurs when the bone is weakened by a disease such as infection, malignancy or lack of nutrition
What are stress fractures?
A stress fracture is a fracture which occurs with the repetitive of exposure of normal bone to the forces to which it is not accustomed e.g. metatarsal
