Types of Fractures

Simple Fracture

-Bone breaks cleanly, but does not penetrate skin -Sometimes called "closed fracture"

Comminuted Fracture

-Bone breaks into many fragments. -Particularly common in the aged, whose bones tend to be more brittle.

Compound Fracture

-Bone ends of the bone protrude through soft tissue & the skin. -An open fracture. More serious than a simple fracture; may result in a severe bone infection (osteomyelitis), requiring massive doses of antibiotics.

Compression Fracture

-Bone is crushed. -Common in ports bones (osteoporotic).

Greenstick Fracture

-Bones break incompletely, much in the way a green twig breaks -Common in children, whose bones have relatively more collagen in their matrix and are more flexible than those of adults.

Impacted Fracture

-Broken bone ends are forced into each other. - Commonly occurs when one falls and attempts to break the fall with outstretched arms; also common of hip fractures

Depressed Fracture

-Broken bone portion is pressed inward. -Typical of skull fractures.

Spiral Fracture

-Ragged break occurs when excess twisting forces are applied to a bone. - Common sports fracture