MSK Clin Med FX TYPES

depressed fracture

Depression of bone at joint space

Greenstick

Incomplete, MC in kids

Impacted

Bone fragments are driven forcefully together

Longitudinal

Follows the long axis of the bone

spiral

bone is twisted

Oblique

Fx runs oblique to axis of bone

transverse fracture

Fx line @ 90º angle to long axis of bone

Comminuted

multiple fragments

Contrecoup

Skull fracture that happens opposite to point of impact

Blowout

fx of the orbit

Avulsion

Bony injury where a tendon or ligament attaches

Stress fx

Low forces, repetitive for long period of time

Compound fx

open Fx; a Fx that penetrates the skin

Salter-Harris Fracture

Salter-Harris Fractures:

Classification system used to diagnose fractures through or involving the physis (growth plate) in children

think: “SALTeR” (slipped, above, lower, through everything, rammed/ruined)

Salter Harris Fx Type I

fracture across the growth plate (AKA separation of physis) (S – Slipped);

Salter Harris Fx Type II

fracture starts across growth plate, then travels up the shaft, away from joint (AKA metaphysis & physis) (A – Above)

*Most common growth plate fx, older kids

Salter Harris Fx Type III

starts through growth plate, then turns & exits into adjacent joint (AKA epiphysis & physis)

(L – Lower)

Salter Harris Fx Type IV

starts above growth plate, goes through GP and into adjacent joint (AKA metaphysis, physis, epiphysis)

(Te – Through everything)

Salter Harris Fx Type V

growth plate is crushed (AKA crushed physis) (R – Ruined/Rammed)