For a physician classification of fractures is of utmost importance. Not only it suggests the severity and mechanics of injury that occurred, but also helps to formulate most suitable treatment.There are many types of classifications which are available to physicians. These classifications vary with type of bone involved and the region of bone involved.
For this discussion we would stick to the basic and general classification of the fractures of long bones. We have already discussed closed and open fractures. That is one type of classification according to absence or presence of wounds that communicate with fracture.
Fractures are also classified according to the pattern in which bone breaks. Let us take them one by one
Transverse Fracture:
A fracture in which the break is across the bone, at a right angle to the long axis of the bone. Adjoining figure would illustrate.
Instead of break being at right angle, it goes in oblique direction to the long axis of the bone.The fracture is confined to one plane. In other words the bone has broken at an angle.
This fracture is easily confused with the oblique fracture. Instead of a straight break as in oblique fracture that is only in one plane, the break in this case traverses both the planes. To understand this you need to imagine a three dimensional view of the bone.
If you take a stick and slice it at an angle so that it is divided in two, it is similar to oblique fracture. But if you twist and break that stick it would result in a break pattern that would start from one point, move obliquely in on direction, reach the other end and then continue in other side of the stick in a spiral fashion to meet the original point.
Adjoining diagram would give you rough idea of what I am trying to say. Compare it with the oblique fracture diagram and you would be able to appreciate the difference.
Comminuted Fracture :
If the injury results in multiple breaks in the bone, they are visible as different fragments. These kind of fractures are called comminuted fractures.
Apart from this, fracture can be displaced or undisplaced. If bone fragments stay together maintaining structural alignment of the bone , it is called an undisplaced fracture. A hairline fracture is an example of an undisplaced fracture.
But fragment of the bone may move from their original position resulting separation of the fragments. Such a fracture is called a displaced fracture. (See the figure)
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this was a really helpful website for my homework. It was nice and simple which was handy because i was in a rush!
Thanks Rio for your appreciation.
thought id right to show my appreciation, agreed with rio, really helpful, thanks!
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 am
Thanks Iroy.
thank u u made my work easier
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
@priyanshi,
You are welcome.
Tanx alot Dr. it was very helpful indeed, and wat about open fracture?
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 2:19 am
@Amal,
Thanks for your appreciation.
You might want to have a look at following article
http://boneandspine.com/fractures-dislocations/open-closed-fractures/
Hey Dr Arun, thanx. This has really helped me in case i break a bone, thanks a lot, much appreciated
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
@Roberto_K_:D,
You are welcome.
It is not a good idea to think like that. may that never happen.
i recently fractured the side of my hip as a muscle tore and ripped of a piece of bone, i think the nurse told me it was an expulsion fracture but im not sure as i was out of my head on medication and happy gas. is expulsion fracture correct?
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:07 am
It is called avulsion fracture.
igot the information thanx to u but iwanted to know how to give 1st aid by just usin a cloth
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:52 am
@som,
In upper limb cloth can be used as sling or to stra arm to the torso.
In lower limb the cloth can be used to tie the injured limb to other limb for splintage.
I hope that helps.
can u reply fast
this website and the imformation has realy helped me a lot for my project
THANK YOU
I am 58 years and broke mi humerous 7 months ago. It was an spiroid fracture, a few cm. from the shoulder, at the armpit level. An operation was not possible due to a chronic respiratory deficiency that makes it impossible to receive any kind of anesthesia (local or general). I was put on an “U” cast for 2 months and then doctors took it out for they said union had taken place between the two parts of bone. After some days problems started: I felt the 2 pieces of bone moving, and xray showed they were separated, in what doctors call pseudoarthrosis. Now they are going to put my arm on a brace, but I don’t know how the process will be. Thak you in advance for any comment or advice
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@Melina,
From what you have told, it means that you have a non union.
Non unions are generally refractory to conservative measures.
But given your condition of respiratory deficiency, I am not sure if you have much options.
Talk to your doctor.
Thanks you for your oppinion.
Melina
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
@Melina,
Welcome!
Having established the non union of the humerous bone fragment doctors put a brace bivalve and recommended Magnetic therapy sessions. I would like to know your oppinion.
thank you
Melina
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
November 7th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
@Melina,
The standard treatment for non union is bone grafting. Nothing else matches the results of this surgery. But each individual is different. I cannot say why have you been chosen for the particular treatment.
knowledge is power
this website really improves ,congratulations.
Strongly recommend the website to student nurses and other health proffessions. was the best, the most outstanding of them all.
if i may ask, a have this assignment question which says, why is it generally important to classify fractures (3 marks) but i managed only to pick one from the website. please help me with two more
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
March 14th, 2012 at 6:30 am
@Prince,
1. Enables better communication to describe the type of injury
2. Helps to understand biomeachanics of injury
3. Enables to formulate treatment
4. Tells prognosis
All the points may not be covered by a single classification.
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