Bone Fracture

Bone Fracture

Despite their considerable strength, bones remain susceptible to fractures (breaks) when subjected to sufficient force. Fractures can be classified along several independent axes: the positioning of the broken bone ends, whether the break is complete or incomplete, the orientation of the break relative to the bone's long axis, and whether the fracture has penetrated through the skin. Combining these criteria gives the common named fracture types (Figure 9.14):

1. Transverse — the break runs at a right angle to the bone's long axis.
2. Oblique, non-displaced — a diagonal break relative to the bone's long axis, with the fractured pieces still in their normal position.
3. Oblique, displaced — the same diagonal break, but the fractured piece has shifted out of its normal position.
4. Spiral — a ragged, twisting break that occurs when excessive twisting force is applied to a bone; a common sports injury.
5. Greenstick — an incomplete break, where the bone bends and cracks rather than snapping fully, much like a green (unseasoned) twig; common in children because their bones are still relatively flexible. …