Trauma

Flail chest is caused by severe blunt injury which causes multiple [3 or more] segmental [rib fractures at two points say anterior and posterior] rib fracture resulting in paradoxical movement of broken chest wall segment [that becomes devoid of any attachment and moves with changes in intrathoracic pressure.] With a better understanding of injury pattern, […]

Rib fractures are the most common injury sustained after blunt chest trauma. Rib fractures are more common in elderly and adults [older people are more prone than young adults] than children. Elderly are more likely to have associated injuries and complications. Rib fractures can be associated with injury to internal organs. This includes injury to […]

Rib fracture is the most common thoracic injury. It is found in 10% of all traumatic injuries and  40% of cases of blunt trauma. 5th to 9th ribs are most commonly involved probably due to the protection offered by shoulder girdle to upper ribs and mobility of lower ribs. Isolated rib fractures have relatively low […]

FOOSH is an acronym for fall onto an outstretched hand. Fall is a common cause of orthopedic injuries. Whenever one falls, it is a protective reflex to outstretch the hand. This fall on an outstretched hand can lead  different patterns of injuries A number of injuries of the upper limb occur because of fall onto […]

The Mangled extremity severity score is used in patients with trauma to a limb, particularly lower extremity trauma. As the name suggests, it determines how badly the injured limb is. The score applied to mangled extremities such as limbs overrun by vehicles. It was developed to discriminate between salvageable and the limbs which would require […]

Soft tissue injuries associated with fractures vary with the severity of the injury and often affect the treatment of underlying fractures. A soft tissue injury may result in an open fracture or the fracture may remain closed along with significant soft tissue injuries. A classification of the concomitant soft tissue injury offers the best support […]

Intraarticular fractures are the fractures where the fracture line crosses into the surface of a joint resulting in some degree of cartilage damage. The fractures can vary from hairline fractures to displaced fractures. Intraarticular fractures ideally should be reduced anatomically and fixed securely so that early joint movement can be allowed. Where this cannot be […]

Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures of long bones and are They are commonly mid-diaphyseal, affecting the forearm and lower leg. They are distinct from torus fractures. Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures of long bones usually seen in young children, more commonly less than 10 years of age. They are commonly mid-diaphyseal and typically affect the forearm and lower leg. […]

Why should a fracture occur and what are types of forces that cause the fracture to occur? A fracture is a break in continuity of the bone. Bone is a very strong tissue that is composed of minerals, which provide rigidity, and collagen, which provides tensile strength. A fracture is caused by a force acting […]