MOD 2 - Fracture Types, Classifications, and Pediatric Considerations

These flashcards cover fracture classification by cause, location, and appearance; specific adult fracture patterns; general management and complications; as well as pediatric fractures, including the Salter-Harris system.

How are fractures classified by cause?

Traumatic (due to injury) or pathological (due to disease).

How are fractures classified by anatomical location?

Articular (involving a joint), supracondylar (above condyles), or other specific bone regions.

Which categories describe fractures by appearance?

Open vs. closed, complete vs. incomplete, displaced vs. undisplaced.

What distinguishes an open fracture from a closed fracture?

Open fractures break the skin and risk infection; closed fractures do not penetrate the skin.

What defines a complete fracture?

The fracture line extends entirely through the bone.

What is an incomplete fracture?

The fracture line does not extend fully through the bone, often causing bending.

What is the difference between displaced and undisplaced fractures?

Displaced fractures have fragments that shift position; undisplaced fractures remain aligned.

What is an avulsion fracture?

A fragment of bone is pulled off by a ligament or tendon.

What typically causes an avulsion fracture?

Forceful muscle contraction at a ligament or tendon insertion site.

What is a blowout fracture?

A fracture of the orbital floor, usually from blunt trauma to the eye region.

What radiographic sign often indicates a blowout fracture?

Air-fluid level in the maxillary sinus, possibly with orbital rim fracture.

What is a comminuted fracture?

Bone is broken into multiple fragments.

What are comminuted T and Y fractures?

Intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus or femur that form T or Y patterns.

What is a multiple fracture?

Two or more separate fractures in the same region from a single incident.

What is a contrecoup fracture?

A fracture occurring on the side opposite the impact, often in the skull.

What is a stress (fatigue) fracture?

A small hairline fracture caused by repetitive stress, common in athletes.

How are stress fractures detected when not visible on X-ray?

Nuclear medicine scans reveal increased metabolic activity at the fracture site.

What is a depressed fracture?

Bone is driven inward, common in skull and tibial plateau injuries.

What is an impacted fracture?

One portion of bone is forcibly driven into another segment.

What is a linear fracture?

A fracture line that runs parallel to the bone’s long axis.

What is a longitudinal fracture?

A fracture along the shaft but not strictly parallel to the axis.

What is a transverse fracture?

A fracture line perpendicular (≈90°) to the bone’s long axis.

What is an oblique fracture?

A fracture line angled more than 25° relative to the transverse axis.

What is a spiral fracture?

A helical fracture produced by rotational force.

What is a stellate fracture?

Fracture lines radiate from a central point, common in skull or patella.

What is a pathological fracture?

A break in bone weakened by disease (e.g., cyst, tumor, osteoporosis).

What is an articular fracture?

A fracture extending into a joint surface.

What is a supracondylar fracture?

A fracture located just above the condyles of the humerus or femur.

What is the general treatment for displaced fractures?

Reduction to realign fragments followed by immobilization; surgery if needed.

What are common complications of comminuted or multiple fractures?

Poor healing, deformity, and reduced function due to numerous fragments.

What complication may result from blowout or depressed fractures?

Potential nerve or vessel injury; ocular muscle scarring in blowout cases.

What is a key complication of articular fractures?

Post-traumatic arthritis.

What is the most common pediatric fracture type?

Torus (buckle) fracture.

What typically causes a torus/buckle fracture in children?

Fall on an outstretched hand (FOOSH) or direct forearm trauma.

What part of bone does a torus/buckle fracture affect?

The cortex, leading to folding or buckling without full break.

How is a torus/buckle fracture treated?

Immobilization with a short-arm cast.

What is a greenstick fracture?

An incomplete fracture in which the bone bends and breaks on one side only.

What commonly causes a greenstick fracture?

FOOSH or a direct blow to the arm.

How is a greenstick fracture managed?

Manual manipulation followed by casting.

What is a bow (plastic) deformity?

A bending of a long bone without visible break on radiograph.

How is a bow/plastic deformity treated?

Casting to allow the bone to remodel.

What is an epiphyseal fracture?

A fracture involving the growth plate (physis), often Salter-Harris II.

What nickname is given to an epiphyseal fracture of the distal radius in older children?

Teenage Colles' fracture.

What major risk accompanies epiphyseal fractures?

Growth disturbance, mal-union, or nerve injury.

What does the Salter-Harris classification describe?

Fractures that involve the growth plate in pediatric patients.

What characterizes a Salter-Harris Type I fracture?

A transverse fracture through the growth plate only.

Where are Salter-Harris Type I fractures most common?

Wrist, ankle, and phalanges.

What characterizes a Salter-Harris Type II fracture?

Fracture through the growth plate and metaphysis (corner sign present).

Which Salter-Harris type is most frequent?

Type II (≈75% of cases).

What characterizes a Salter-Harris Type III fracture?

Fracture through the growth plate and epiphysis, involving the joint surface.

What complications can arise from Salter-Harris Type III fractures?

Joint dysfunction and potential growth plate disruption.

What characterizes a Salter-Harris Type IV fracture?

Fracture that crosses metaphysis, growth plate, and epiphysis vertically.

What is the treatment goal for Salter-Harris Type IV fractures?

Prevent premature physeal fusion; often requires surgical fixation.

What is a Salter-Harris Type V fracture?

Compression injury to the growth plate.

Which Salter-Harris type is the rarest?

Type V (≈1% of growth-plate fractures).

What is the most serious complication of a Salter-Harris Type V fracture?

Premature growth plate fusion leading to limb shortening.