Types of fractures

what is a stress fracture?

• a fracture that forms without evidence of injury to other tissues

what is an avulsion fracture?

occurs where a ligament or tendon attaches to a bone and a fragment of bone tears away from the main bone

what is a greenstick fracture and who does it usually occur in?

• a partial fracture in which one side is broken and the other side bends

what is a transverse fracture?

• a fracture line that passes transversely across and at right angles to the long axis of the bone

what is a communited fracture?

bone splinter which is present at the site of impact

what is an impacted fracture?

where fractured bone is driven into the interior of the other fracture part

what is a linear fracture?

a fracture that extends parallel to the long axis of a bone but does not displace the bone tissue

what is a partial fracture?

where the break is not complete

what is an oblique fracture?

fracture is at an angle to the horizontal axis

what is a non-displaced fracture?

where fracture ends are aligned

what is a displaced fracture?

where fracture ends are not aligned

what is a spiral fracture?

• fracture line is like a helix along a bone

what is a pathologic fracture?

fracture at a part which has been weakened by disease

what is a depressed fracture?

• where a bone has caved in as a result of a blunt force

what is a salter harris fracture (s)?

epiphyseal plate fractures in children

what are the 5 salter harris fractures?

S - TYPE 1

STRAIGHT ACROSS

A - TYPE 2

ABOVE

L - TYPE 3

LOWER

T - TYPE 4

TWO THROUGHT

ER - TYPE 5

RAMMED/CRUSHED

What is the healing process of fractures?

1. Haematoma formation

2. inflammation

3. callus formation - soft callus initially eventually hardens

4. remodelling

describe the haematoma formation in depth

• activation of coagulation cascade

• changes of local environment

• inflammatory cells and molecules released

describe the process of inflammation in depth

• recruitment and activation of inflammatory and osteoprogenitor cells

• clearance of necrotic tissues

describe the callus formation in depth

• soft and hard

• differentiation of MSCS according to the mechanical enviroment

• initial stabilisation of fracture, then replaced by calcified tissue

describe the remodelling process in depth

• long process

• resportion of remaining cartilage

• restoration of haversian system

• no scar formed

what are factors that affect the healing of fractures?

• nutrition - healing is promoted by a balanced diet rich in minerals, vitamins protein

• infection - delays healing, accompanying inflammation may lead to ischaemia and necrosis

• tissue fragments between the ends of bone known as sequestra delay healing

• bloody supply - deficient blood supply may lead to cartilaginous union of the fracture

• mobility - continuous movement prevents healing, leading to fibrous union

• age - healing of fractures becomes slower with advancing age