Bone Fractures

There are different types of bone fractures, each one caused by a different kind of impact. These are the general types of fractures, but there may be more that you are free to google!

1. Avulsion Fracture

Avulsion fractures are a common sports injury. This happens when a fragment of bone is pulled off by a tendon or a ligament. This treatment could need rest, physical therapy, or even surgery. The bone has to be reattached to the tendon or ligament before it heals.

2. Buckle (Torus) Fracture

The buckle fracture is common in children and happens when a compressive force is applied to the bone, mostly on the radius bone in the forearm and it causes it to bend but not break completely. These fractures heal quickly, only needing a cast or a splint to heal.

3. Comminuted Fracture

This is caused by high-impact trauma, like a car accident or a fall from a building. This fracture is when the bone shatters into multiple pieces, like 3 or 4. This is the most complicated fracture to fix because it needs metal pins, plates, or screws. This healing process can take about several months.

4. Compound (Open) Fracture

A compound (open) fracture usually happens from high-impact trauma. This is when the broken bone breaks through the skin and out of the body, creating a high risk of infection. This severe fracture needs immediate medical attention and requires surgery, antibiotics, and a cast for 3-6 months to heal.

5. Compression Fracture

This is common with people with osteoporosis. A compression fracture is when a bone, more often the spine collapses due to pressure or a compressive force. The bone could compress under the weight of the body. This could be healed by rest, physical therapy, medications, or even surgery.

6. Greenstick/Incomplete Fracture

This fracture is also common in kids because their bones are flexible. This happens when the bone bends and breaks on one side but doesn’t break all the way through. These fractures heal generally fast, taking about 4-6 weeks.

7. Hairline (Fissure) Fracture

A hairline fracture is a stress-related injury and it may not be obvious on an X-ray. This is a very thin crack in the bone and it is common in the tibia, fibula, or metatarsals. These fractures generally heal on their own through rest and it takes about 4-6 weeks.

8. Oblique Fracture

An oblique fracture is typically caused by a sharp and angled impact. This happens when the bone is broken diagonally, making a jagged fracture. These features can be unstable and can lead to the bone healing misaligned. It’s treated with realignment and surgery.

9. Pathological Fracture

This is common in older adults or people with chronic conditions. This happens when a pre-existing condition weakens a bone. It’s not technically a fracture, but it poses a very big risk of getting a fracture.

10. Simple (Closed) Fracture

This bone fracture is usually caused by a direct blow or a strong impact. The bone is still in place and doesn't pierce the skin, but is still broken. It could cause pain, swelling, and bruising around the area. It’s usually treated with a cast or a brace for 6-8 weeks before it’s fully healed.

11. Spiral Fracture

This fracture is a common fracture in sports, accidents, or when a limb is twisted. This fracture is broken diagonally because of the bone twisting too hard. This fracture can be in extensive places and it can even mean that the bone breaks in different places. Surgery is obviously the place to go if a character has a spiral fracture, even if it may be difficult because of the different pieces.

12. Stress Fracture

This is common in the lower leg or foot and is common in athletes. This is when the bone doesn’t break all the way through again, but the repetitive stress in sports weakens the bone. This heals from 6-8 weeks.

13. Transverse Fracture

Traverse fractures occur from direct force or impact. This is when the broken bone is perpendicular to the length of the bone. This bone requires realignment surgery to make it go straight again. It typically takes several weeks to months to heal this fracture, but for femurs or more complex bones, it takes 5 months.

These are all of the bone fractures going from top row, left to right before going down a row.