Trauma - Categories Fractures Flashcards
What is a Fracture?
a break in the rigid structure and continuity of a bone
Complete Fracture?
occurs when the bone is broken in two or more seperate pieces
Incomplete Fracture?
the bone is only partially broken
Open Fracture?
aka compound
skin is broken
bone fragments may be angled and protrude skin
Closed Fracture?
skin is not broken at the fracture site
In open fractures, there is more damage to…
and a higher risk of…
soft tissue inc. blood vessels, nerves infection
Fractures can be categorised by the number of fracture lines. What are these 4 main groups?
Simple
Segmental
Comminuted
Compression
Simple Fracture?
single break in the bone which bone ends maintain their alignment
Segmental Fracture?
several large bone fragments seperate from main body of a fractured bone
Comminuted Fracture?
multiple fracture lines and bone fragments
Compression Fracture?
common in vertebrae
bone is crushed or collapsed into small pieces
Impacted Fracture?
one end of the bone forced or telescoped into adjacent bone e.g. neck of femur crushed against the pelvis
Pathologic Fracture?
results from weakness in the bone structure due to a condition
e.g. tumour, osteoporosis
this break occurs spontaneously or with very little stress on the bone
Stress Fracture?
(fatigue fractures) repeated excessive stress results from repeated excessive stress commonly in the tibia, femur or second and third metatarsals
Depressed Fracture?
occurs in the skull when broken section if forced inward on the brain
