Bone Fractures

Bone Fracture

A break in the continuity of a bone

Open (Compound) Fracture

Bone pierces the skin; risk of infection (osteomyelitis); usually requires surgery

Closed (Simple) Fracture

Bone breaks but does not pierce the skin; may require reduction

Comminuted Fracture

Bone breaks into many fragments

Greenstick Fracture

Incomplete or partially joined break

Compression Fracture

Bone is crushed; common in vertebrae

Depressed Fracture

Bone is pressed inward; often occurs in the skull

Impacted Fracture

Bones are driven into each other; may cause joint injury

Spiral Fracture

Result of a twisting force on the bone

Linear Fracture

Break runs parallel to the bone’s axis; often called a stress fracture

Transverse Fracture

Break occurs at a right angle to the bone’s axis

Oblique Fracture

Break occurs diagonally across the bone’s axis

Bone Repair

The process by which the body heals a fractured bone in stages

Hematoma Formation

First stage of bone repair; blood-filled swelling or bruise forms at fracture site

Fibrocartilage Callus Formation

Second stage; granulation tissue with new capillaries grows

Bony Callus Formation

Third stage; spongy bone replaces fibrocartilage callus

Bone Remodeling

Fourth stage; compact bone replaces spongy bone

Osteoporosis

Disease causing decreased bone density and strength

Leukemia

Cancer of the bone marrow and blood-forming tissues that affects blood cell production

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down