Emergency Health Care - Fractures (PSS 258)

Vocabulary flashcards covering definitions and key terms related to fractures and their management from the lecture notes.

Fracture

A break or crack in the continuity of a bone.

Direct violence

A fracture at the site of violence to the bone (e.g., blows, falls, gunshot).

Indirect violence

A fracture away from the violent site, such as a fall causing a fracture at a distance (e.g., spine).

Muscular violence

Fracture caused by a sudden, forcible contraction of muscles attached to the bone.

Osteoporosis

A condition where bone density decreases, making bones brittle, usually in old age.

Congenital abnormalities

Bone brittleness due to inherited conditions.

Rickets

Bone-softening disease caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Tuberculosis (bone TB)

TB infection affecting bones, leading to weakness and fractures.

Transverse fracture

Fracture across the bone, perpendicular to its long axis.

Oblique fracture

Fracture at an angle to the bone’s long axis.

Spiral fracture

Fracture caused by twisting force around the bone.

T-shaped fracture

Fracture forming a T shape on the bone.

Fissure

Crack in the bone that does not completely break it.

Comminuted fracture

Bone broken into more than two fragments.

Simple (closed) fracture

Bone broken but skin remains intact.

Compound (open) fracture

Skin broken; bone ends may protrude or be exposed.

Greenstick fracture

Incomplete fracture common in children; bone bends and cracks but doesn’t fully break.

Depressed fracture

Fragment pushed inward, usually skull fractures.

Impacted fracture

Fragments driven into each other (compression).

Double fracture

Two separate fractures in the same bone.

Pathological fracture

Fracture caused by underlying bone disease (e.g., TB, cancer, osteomyelitis).

Deformity

Alteration in the shape of a limb or fractured part.

Crepitus

Cracking or grating sound from fractured bone ends rubbing together.

Shortening

Reduction in limb length due to fracture displacement.

Irregularities in the bone line

Sharp edge or bump at the fracture site.

Gap

Space between fracture ends indicating separation.

Unnatural movements (false joint)

Abnormal movement when the bone is completely broken; avoid testing.

Tenderness

Pain on palpation near the fracture.

Swelling

Localized swelling over the fractured area.

Loss of function

Inability to use the fractured part.

Shock

Systemic response to injury needing prompt management.

Immobilization

Prevent movement of fracture fragments to allow healing.

Support

Use hands to stabilize the suspected fracture above and below the injury.

Bandage

Wrapping to immobilize; often used with splints; avoid bandaging directly over the fracture site.

Slings

Support for upper-limb injuries to reduce movement.

Splints

Rigid devices to immobilize the injured part; can be improvised or mechanical.

Body splinting

Bandaging the injured part to another part of the body to immobilize.

Mechanical splinting

A long, padded splint that immobilizes joints above and below the fracture.

Hematoma

Blood collection around fracture ends; initial part of healing.

Fibroblasts

Cells that lay down fibrous tissue bridging the fracture gap.

Chondroblasts

Cells that lay down cartilage in the fracture callus.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that lay down new bone.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells involved in bone maintenance.

Osteoclasts

Cells that resorb dead bone and remodel the fracture area.

Callus

Tough tissue that bridges fracture ends during healing.

Remodeling

Final stage of healing where bone is reshaped by remodeling cells.

Healing times (adult) – upper limb

Typically about 6 weeks for upper limb fractures.

Healing times (adult) – lower limb

Typically about 12 weeks for lower limb fractures.

Healing times (children) – upper limb

About 3 weeks for upper limb fractures.

Healing times (children) – lower limb

About 6 weeks for lower limb fractures.

Signs of healing – reduced pain

Diminishing pain indicates healing progress.

Signs of healing – reduced mobility

Improving movement indicates healing progress.

Signs of healing – rigidity

Bone becomes more rigid as healing completes.

Malunion

Healing with misalignment of fracture ends.

Nonunion

Fracture fails to heal within the expected time.

Infection (compound fracture)

Infection risk due to broken skin and exposed fracture ends.

Gangrene

Tissue death from infection or compromised blood supply near the fracture.

Peritonitis (pelvis fracture)

Possible abdominal infection due to pelvic fracture.

Concussion (skull fracture)

Shaking of the brain with possible unconsciousness; may not show obvious brain injury.

Compression (skull)

Bone fragment presses on brain, causing pressure and possible bleeding.

Fractured skull (cranium)

Skull fracture with potential brain injury; requires hospital care.

Potts’ fracture

Fracture of the distal fibula with severe ankle ligament damage.

Colles’ fracture

Distal radius fracture at the wrist; common type of wrist fracture.

Fracture of the clavicle

Collarbone fracture from indirect violence; often bilateral in severe falls.

Fracture of the jaw (mandible)

Jaw fracture usually from direct force; common in contact sports.

Spinal injury

Injury to the cervical or lumbar spine; risk of spinal cord damage; immobilize.

Cervical fracture signs

Severe neck pain; potential paralysis or breathing difficulty.

Lumbar fracture signs

Pain in the small of the back; risk of spinal injury.

Spinal immobilization

Keep the casualty still; immobilize the spine; transport carefully.

Pelvis fracture

Fracture of pelvic bones; may injure bladder, urethra, uterus, rectum.

Rib fracture signs

Severe chest pain, shallow breathing, possible coughing up blood.

Rib fracture treatment

Binder around the chest; supportive sling for the arm.

Fracture of the scapula

Shoulder blade fracture from direct trauma; keep the arm in a natural position.

Humerus fracture (upper third)

Fracture near the shoulder; often impacted, common in the elderly.

Humerus fracture (middle third)

Fracture of the humeral shaft; immobilize with an angular splint.

Humerus fracture (lower third)

Fracture near the elbow; avoid bending the elbow.

Forearm fracture (radius/ulna)

Fracture of one or both forearm bones; Colles’ fracture is distal radius.

Colles’ fracture (forearm)

Distal radius fracture with dorsal displacement; treated with splints.

Fracture of the femur

Fracture of the thigh bone; severe shock; traction and immobilization.

Tibia/fibula fracture

Fractures of the leg bones; may involve the ankle (Potts’ fracture for fibula).

Potts’ fracture (fibula)

Distal fibula fracture with extensive ankle ligament injury.

Fracture of the patella

Kneecap fracture; quadriceps pull can separate fragments; keep pieces together.