Question
Q.What do you understand by fracture ? How can fractures be classified ? Explain.
CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2019Subjective· 5mImportance★★★★★
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone — from a hairline crack to a complete break. Fractures are classified in three ways: by the nature of the break, by the cause, and by whether the skin is broken (open vs closed).
Concept understanding — what a fracture is
A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone. The term covers the whole range, from a thin hairline crack to a bone shattered into several pieces. Even a small crack counts as a fracture and needs proper care. Fractures are among the most common serious sports injuries, so knowing the types guides correct first aid and treatment.
Classification 1 — according to the nature of the break
This is the most descriptive category:
- Simple (closed) fracture — the bone breaks but the skin stays intact.
- Compound (open) fracture — the broken bone pierces through the skin, creating an open wound; the most dangerous type because of the high infection risk.
- Comminuted fracture — the bone shatters into more than two fragments, typically in high-impact injuries.
- Greenstick fracture — seen in children, whose bones are soft and flexible; the bone bends and cracks on one side only, like a green twig.
- Impacted fracture — one broken fragment is driven into the other.
Classification 2 — according to the cause
- Traumatic fracture — caused by a sudden, forceful impact: a hard tackle, a fall, or a direct blow.
- Pathological fracture — a bone already weakened by disease (such as osteoporosis or a tumour) breaks under normal stress or even without an obvious cause.
- Stress fracture — a hairline crack that develops gradually from repeated, low-impact loading; common in runners and marchers, and easy to miss because the pain builds slowly. …
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