Lecture Notes: Bone Fractures

Classification of Fractures

Fractures can be classified based on several criteria:

1. Position of Bone Ends

   • Displaced: Bone ends are out of normal alignment.
   • Non-displaced: Bone ends remain in alignment.

2. Completeness of the Fracture

   • Complete: Bone is broken all the way through.
   • Incomplete: Bone is not fully broken.

3. Orientation of the Fracture

   • Linear Fracture: Break is parallel to the bone's long axis.
   • Transverse Fracture: Break is perpendicular to the bone's long axis.
   • Note: Often hard to distinguish; many fractures don't fit neatly into these categories.

4. Penetration of the Skin

   • Open (Compound) Fracture: Bone pierces the skin.
   • Closed (Simple) Fracture: Bone does not pierce the skin.

Common Types of Fractures

There are six common types of fractures:

1. Comminuted Fracture

   • Bone fragments into three or more pieces.
   • Common in the elderly.
   • Often illustrated with x-rays and sketches for clarity.

2. Compression Fracture

   • Bone is crushed.
   • Commonly occurs in osteoporotic bones, often after a fall.
   • Frequently seen in elderly patients.

3. Spiral Fracture

   • Characterized by a spiral-like, ragged break.
   • Results from excessive twisting of the bone.
   • Common sports injury.

4. Epiphyseal Fracture

   • Separation along the epiphyseal plate.
   • Serious due to potential growth implications.
   • Can be complete or incomplete.

5. Depressed Fracture

   • Broken bone portion is pressed inward.
   • Typically occurs in skull fractures.

6. Greenstick Fracture

   • Incomplete fracture; one side of the bone breaks, the other bends.
   • Common in children due to the flexibility of their bones.
   • Analogous to bending a fresh twig which bends rather than snaps.