Patho MSK Chapter

Chapter Twelve: Musculoskeletal Function

What are fractures?

breaks in the rigid structure of the bone

How are fractures classified?

based on direction of fracture line, the number of fracture line, or other characteristics

What are the primary causes of fractures?

falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports related injuries

What are secondary causes of fractures?

conditions that weaken the bone (i.e. Osteoporosis, Paget’s Disease, and bone cancer)

What is a Simple Fracture?

a SINGLE break with bone ends maintaining their alignment and position

What is a transverse fracture?

straight ACROSS the bone shaft

What is an oblique fracture?

at an ANGLE to the bone shaft

What is a spiral fracture?

TWISTS around the bone fracture

What is a comminuted fracture?

MULTIPLE fracture lines and bone pieces

What is a Greenstick Fracture?

an incomplete break in which the bone is bent and only the outer curve of the bone is broken

In what individuals does a Greenstick fracture most commonly occur in?

commonly occurs in children because of minimal calcification, and often heals quickly

What is a Compression fracture?

bone is crushed or collapses into small pieces

What is a Complete Fracture?

broken into two or more separate pieces

What is an Incomplete fracture?

partially broken

What is an Open or Compound fracture?

skin is broken, and bone fragments or edges may be angled and protrude out of the skin

What is a Closed fracture?

the skin is intact

What is an Impacted fracture?

one end of the bone is forced into the adjacent bone

What is a Pathologic fracture?

results from a weakness in the bone structure secondary to conditions such as tumors or osteoporosis

What is a Stress or Fatigue fracture?

occurs from repeated excessive stress

• most common in the tibia, femur, and metatarsals

• can be due to obesity

What is a Depressed fracture?

occurs in the skull when the broken piece is forced inward on the brain

What are some complications of fractures?

• Delayed union, malunion, nonunion

• and Compartment Syndrome

What is delayed union, malunion, and nonunion?

may occur due to poor nutrition, inadequate blood supply, malalignment, and premature weight bearing

What is Compartment syndrome?

a serious condition that results from increased pressure in a compartment

• Usually the muscle fascia in the case of fractures

What are the 6 P’s of Compartment Syndrome?

classic signs of acute compartment syndrome include:

• pain

• paresthesia

• poikilothermia (inability to regulate core body temperature, causing patient’s temperature to fluctuate with the environment)

• pallor

• paralysis

• and pulselessness

What is a fat embolism?

fat enters the bloodstream, usually after a long bone fracture

What is osteomyelitis?

an infection of the bone tissue

• can take months to resolve and result in bone or tissue necrosis