TYPES OF FRACTURES
Greenstick
A common incomplete fracture that occurs in children; it appears to have broken partially like a sap-filled green stick.
Subcapital
A fracture below (sub) the head (caput) of the femur.
Intracapsular
A fracture inside the joint capsule.
Compound (open)
A fracture involving the bone puncturing through the skin, or an object puncturing the skin, making an opening through the skins to the fracture site.
Femoral neck
A fracture involving the neck of the femur.
Colles'
A fracture of the lower end of the radius with displacement of the fragment.
Extracapsular
A fracture outside or not involving the joint capsule.
Simple (closed)
A fracture that does not break through skin.
Closed (simple)
A fracture that does not break through the skin.
Stellate
A fracture that forms a star-like pattern.
Spiral
A fracture that twists around the bone.
Pathologic
Caused by weakness from another disease.
Pott's
Fracture of the lower part of the fibula and tibia, with outward displacement of the foot.
Nondisplaced
Fragments are still in correct position.
Displaced
One in which fragments are out of position.
Compression
One in which the bone appears to be mashed down.
Comminuted
One in which there are more than two ends or fragments.
Impacted
One that has a bone end forced over the other end.
Articular
One that involves a joint surface.
Intertrochanteric
One that is in the trochanteric area of the femur.
Transverse
One that runs across or at a 90-degree angle.
Longitudinal
One that runs the length of the bone.
Avulsion
One where there is a separation of a small bone fragment from the bone where a tendon or ligament is attached.
Stress
Related to too much weight or pressure.
Oblique
Runs in transverse pattern.
Incomplete
The bone is fractured but not in two.
Complete
The fracture is completely through the bone.