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.