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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Thanks Rio for your appreciation.
thought id right to show my appreciation, agreed with rio, really helpful, thanks!
Thanks Iroy.
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@priyanshi,
You are welcome.
Tanx alot Dr. it was very helpful indeed, and wat about open fracture?
@Amal,
Thanks for your appreciation.
You might want to have a look at following article http://boneandspine.com/fractures-dislocations/op…
Hey Dr Arun, thanx. This has really helped me in case i break a bone, thanks a lot, much appreciated
@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?
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
@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
@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
@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
@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
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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
@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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I'm not sure I understood the doctor correctly: Elderly patient with fibular fracture, nondisplaced, cleared by physical therapy so "there was no evidence clinically of a s/l myxino fracture." Is there such a fracture?
Thanks so much! I, too, have recommended your site as reference for medical transcriptionists. VERY organized and easy to understand.
@Dallas Ink,
Maisonneuve fracture is a similar sounding fracture. Jump to: navigation, search
Malleolus
Fibula
The Maisonneuve fracture is a spiral fracture of the proximal third of the fibula with a tear of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.
Otherwise, there is no fracture with same name as you mentioned.
Thanks for your kind encouragement.
Thanks this was nice and handy! I don't mean ti be rude or anything but isnt there a chip fracture also?
@Tara,
Thanks! Yes there is but it is a classification of fractures of long bones. Chip fractures usually occur near joints.
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Gime
This is really helpful, i can just copy paste this for my homework
thnx
@Badkiodrokitinoro,
I think you have already done that.
This was simply amazing.I was in a hurry to complete my homework.at that movement this helped me a lot.I thank all the writers of this page which gives an extraordinary information,which was short and sweet…..
who is most likely to suffer from each fracture (adolescent, adult, male , female ) and why?
@Dr Arun Pal Singh
it habeen really helpfull because i was confusing spiral and oblique