Classifications of Fractures (Specific Types)

Barton’s fracture

Fracture of the distal articular surface of the radius, often accompanied by dorsal or volar dislocation of the carpus.

Chauffeur’s fracture

Fracture of the radial styloid process, usually caused by direct blow, twisting, or compression injury (also called Hutchinson’s fracture).

Colles’ fracture

Extra-articular fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement and angulation of the distal fragment and radial shift of the wrist/hand.

Galeazzi’s fracture (Dupuytren’s fracture)

Fracture of the distal third of the radius with dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint.

Moore’s fracture

Fracture of the distal radius associated with posterior dislocation of the ulnar head (reverse Colles’ variant).

Piedmont fracture

Oblique fracture of the distal radius, where fragments may be pulled toward the ulna

Smith’s fracture

Fracture of the distal radius with volar displacement and angulation of the distal fragment (the reverse of Colles’ fracture)

Monteggia’s fracture

Fracture of the proximal third of the ulna with dislocation of the proximal radioulnar joint

Bennett’s fracture

Intra-articular fracture at the base of the 1st metacarpal, extending into the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.

Boxer’s fracture

Fracture of the neck of the 5th metacarpal, often due to punching injury.

Mallet fracture

Avulsion fracture at the dorsal base of the distal phalanx, where the extensor tendon attaches

Quervain’s fracture

Fracture of the scaphoid (navicular) bone, often associated with lunate dislocation

Intertrochanteric fracture

Fracture of the proximal femur between the greater and lesser trochanters.

Pillion fracture

T-shaped fracture of the distal femur with posterior displacement of the condyles relative to the shaft.

Pertrochanteric fracture

Fracture through the trochanteric region of the proximal femur (the term “Penurel’s” is incorrect).

Subtrochanteric fracture

Transverse or oblique fracture of the femur occurring below the lesser trochanter

Paratrooper’s fracture

Fracture of the distal tibia and malleolus, caused by axial load or twisting injury on landing.

Maisonneuve’s fracture

Fracture of the proximal fibula associated with diastasis of the ankle mortise and tear of the syndesmosis (the term “Monterous” is incorrect).

Pott’s fracture

Fracture of the distal fibula (usually oblique or spiral) with associated ligamentous injury or medial malleolus damage.

Cotton’s fracture (Bimalleolar fracture)

Fracture of both the medial and lateral malleoli, sometimes with posterior tibial ligament involvement (also called trimalleolar if the posterior tibial lip is fractured).

Lisfranc fracture-dislocation

Fracture-dislocation at the tarsometatarsal joint complex. ● March fracture – Stress fracture of a metatarsal shaft, usually the 2nd or 3rd, from repetitive impact (as in prolonged marching).

Rolando’s fracture

Comminuted intra-articular fracture of the base of the 1st metacarpal (note: though listed under “foot,” it actually affects the thumb, like Bennett’s fracture).

Hangman’s fracture

Fracture through the pars interarticularis or pedicles of C2, usually from hyperextension.

Jefferson’s fracture

Burst fracture of the ring of the atlas (C1), typically from axial loading.

Malgaigne’s fracture

Fracture-dislocation of the pelvis involving the sacroiliac joint.

Butterfly fracture

Comminuted fracture with a central triangular fragment, caused by bending forces

Condylar fracture

Fracture involving a condyle, usually at the distal humerus or femur.

Epicondylar fracture

Fracture involving the medial or lateral epicondyle of a long bone.

Fissure fracture

Crack in one cortex of a bone that does not extend through its entire width.

Intercondylar fracture

Fracture between the condyles of a bone, such as the distal humerus or femur.

Subcapital fracture

Fracture just below the head of a bone, especially the femur

Supracondylar fracture

Fracture above the condyles of the humerus or femur.

Transcondylar fracture

Transverse fracture through the condylar region, just distal to the epicondyles.