Types Of Bone Fractures

Pathologic Fracture

A fracture caused by a disease that weakens the bones.

Comminuted Fracture

A fracture in which the bone fragments into several pieces.

Impacted Fracture/Buckle Fracture

A fracture in which the ends are driven into each other.

Oblique Fracture

Diagonal break across the bone.

Greenstick Fracture

Incomplete fracture. The broken bone is not completely separated.

Fracture

Partial or complete break in the bone. Classified as either open or closed.

Open Fracture/Compound Fracture

The bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.

Closed Fracture/Simple Fracture

The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.

Compression Fracture

The bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.

Transverse Fracture

The break is in a straight line across the bone.

Spiral Fracture

The break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.

Stress Fracture

Tiny cracks in a bone. Stress fractures are caused by repetitive application of force, often by overuse.