Anatomy and Physiology: Types of Fractures/Injuries

Open (Compound) 

• the bone is broken

• the skin is broken 

Closed (Simple) 

• the bone is broken

• the skin is NOT broken/closed 

Displaced

• when the bone has broken and the broken ENDS are NO LONGER ALIGNED

• it has been “displaced”

• misalignment

Closed Nondisplaced

• bone has broken and the skin is NOT broken—-its still closed 

• bone remains in its correct alignment

Oblique

• broken bone where the break appears at an angle or slant 

• fracture line runs diagonally across the bone 

Greenstick

• INCOMPLETE break in the bone 

• bone can crack or bend on only one side 

• “like a twig when it breaks, it doesn’t break all the way/completely at first—hence the name”

Impacted

• two broken ends of bones driven together/jammed together

• OVERLAP 

Spiral

• fracture caused by twisting motion (IN NAME!!)

• twisting/corkscrew pattern around bone 

Comminuted 

• shattered pieces of bone

• broken into 3 or more pieces 

• caused by high impact forces (i.e: car accidents)

Dislocation

• condition where the ends of two or more bones are FORCED OUT of normal position

Sprain

• when LIGAMENTS are stretched or teared

• commonly in areas like ankle, knees, and wrist