S9) Classification of Fractures Flashcards
What are the different anatomical classes of bone?
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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
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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
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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
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What is a comminuted fracture?
A comminuted fracture is a fracture involving multiple breaks in the bone, visible as different fragments e.g. humerus
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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
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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
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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
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What is an impacted fracture?
An impacted fracture is a fracture in which the ends are driven into each other e.g. humerus
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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
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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
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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
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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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/280/784/751/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516836466)
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
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