Fractured Bone
A fractured bone occurs due to a traumatic injury. There are two main categories of bone fractures: closed and open. An open fracture (or compound fracture) is one in which the bone breaks through the skin. You can see without the use of imaging technology. A closed fracture (or a simple fracture) is one remaining within the skin, and cannot be seen from outside the body. Under the categories of simple or compound fractures fit many other types of fractures.
Types of Fracture
- Avulsion fractures occur when the bone is torn off by an uncannily strong force being applied to a ligament or tendon.
- Comminuted fractures are when the bone breaks into several smaller pieces.
- Stress fractures are more common during times of repeated force against the bone. They are very small, sometimes just a hairline crack. This usually happens over a longer period of time.
Direction of Fracture
- Oblique fractures slant through the bone, and are causes by any force other than forces applied at a right angle.
- Transverse fractures are caused by forces applied perpendicular to the bone.
- Spiral fractures are the result of a twisting force applied to a bone.
