Compound Fracture

What is the "prognosis" of Compound Fracture?

About 40-70% of compound fracture cases leave the patient with other potentially life threatening injuries. Antibiotics and surgery are required, but typically if treated and sent to surgery within 6 hours the prognosis is good.

What is the "mortality rate" of Compound Fracture in the United States?

Assuming infection is thwarted and surgery successful I do not believe the fracture itself would have a high mortality rate. Mortality might result from other injuries sustained during the trauma.

Which classification is Compound Fracture? Additive or Destructive

Due to the likely edema around the injury I would think the situation would be additive. If the fracture is comminuted then that may required a decrease in technique instead.

What is the "official" definition of Compound Fracture?

It is when a fracture penetrates the skin and becomes "open".

What is the "prevalance" of Compound Fracture in the United States?

Since this is typically correlated to traumas there are not really factors which make it more prevalent, except bone density of the patient which might make a fracture more likely.

Radiographically, how is a Compound Fracture portrayed on a general imaging study?

The bone will be fracture with a portion rupturing through the skin.

What is the "morbidity rate" of Compound Fracture in the United States?

The patient will need to take antibiotics, have the wound cleaned, surgery for repair, and possibly deal with external fixation devices during their recovery. Breaks may not heal exactly right and require additional surgery or repair later on.

What is the "incidence" of Compound Fracture in the United States?

There are about 150,000 cases of compound fractures in the US each year.

Under which "causative agent" can Compound Fracture be classified?

Trauma

What is the "etiology" (causes) of Compound Fracture?

Typically they are the result of a high-energy traumas, falls, or motor vehicle collisions.