Bone Fractures

Anatomy & Physiology

Statistics
Fractures of extremities (limbs) most
common
More common in:
Men up to 45 years old
Women over 45 years old
Most common fractures:
Before age 75: wrist
After age 75: hip

Types of Fractures
Depends on magnitude and direction of
force

Fractures can be:

Closed/Simple
-Bone fragments
do not pierce
skin
Open/compound
-Bone fragments
pierce skin

Fractures can be:

Displaced
-Bone out of
normal alignment

Non-displaced
-Bone within
normal alignment

Fractures can be:

Complete
Fracture goes all
the way through

Incomplete
Fracture goes
through only part
of bone

Common Fracture Types

Transverse
Fracture
Bone breaks
straight across

Common Fracture Types

Oblique Fracture
Bone breaks at an
angle

Common Fracture Types

Spiral Fracture
Break spirals
around the bone
Occurs when
bone is twisted

Common Fracture Types

Compression
Fracture
Vertebrae in
spinal column are
pushed together

Common Fracture Types

Greenstick Fracture
Breaks similar to
how a green twig
would break
Common in
children- bones are
more flexible
Bone bends and
breaks
incompletely

Common Fracture Types

Comminuted
Fracture
Bone shatters into
at least three bone
fragments

Common Fracture Types

Impacted fracture
Force presses
against both ends;
pushes broken
ends together

Common Fracture Types

Stress fracture
Small crack in
bone caused by
overuse or
repetitive motion

Ms Clarks Elbow