Fracture Types

The severity of a fracture depends upon its location and the damage done to the bone and tissue near it. Serious fractures can have dangerous complications if not treated promptly; possible complications include damage to blood vessels or nerves and infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or surrounding tissue. Recuperation time varies depending on the age and health of the patient and the type of fracture. A minor fracture in a child may heal within a few weeks; a serious fracture in an older person may take months to heal.

The comminuted fracture, which splinters and contains small bone particles, can shatter into more than two pieces. This fracture is usually caused by severe force, such as in a car accident.

The oblique fracture is broken at an angle across the bone and is usually the result of a sharp angled blow to the bone.

A transverse fracture, which is broken straight across the bone, is the result of a sharp, direct blow or may be a stress fracture caused, for example, by prolonged running.

A greenstick fracture usually occurs in children, whose still soft bones splinter without breaking in two. Sudden force causes only the outer side of the bent bone to break.

A spiral fracture refers to a fracture caused by a twisting force that creates an oblique fracture around and through the bone.

The union of a fracture refers to healing of bone fracture fragments.

The nonunion of a fracture refers to the absence of healing in a fracture.

A malunion fracture refers to the healing of a fracture with incorrect anatomical alignment.

A delayed union fracture refers to a bone fracture that is taking an exceptionally long amount of time to heal.

A screw for a fracture in bones is often used to repair broken bones. An operation is done to open up the injury site and fasten together the bone pieces with metal screws, nails, plates, rods or wires.

A metal plate for a fracture in bones is often used to repair broken bones. An operation is done to open up the injury site and fasten together the bone pieces with metal screws, nails, plates, rods or wires.

The pins for a fracture are used to help heal broken bones. In some cases, the ends of the fractured bone may be fixed through the skin and into the bone and kept in position by attachment to an external frame with pins; once the fracture has healed, the pins and frame are removed.

A compound fracture is when broken bone fragments lacerate soft tissue and protrute through an open wound in the skin.