A fracture is a broken bone that occurs when physical force exceeds the strength of the bone. There are many types of fractures including open or closed, comminuted, greenstick, stress, spiral, and more. Treatment depends on the severity and location, with common options being casts, splints, braces, or surgery to internally fix the bone using plates, screws, rods or wires. Fractures are common injuries that increase in risk with age due to bone density loss.
2. Fractures A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. A fracture occurs when physical force exerted on a bone is stronger than the bone itself. The risk for fractures increases as we age, due to bone density loss and brittleness. Childhood fractures tend to be less complicated and generally heal quickly.
3. Classification of Fractures There are many types of fractures, but you can classify each type as either open or closed. An open fracture is when the skin has broken through to the fracture, also called a compound fracture. A closed fracture is when there is no open wound on the skin, also called a simple fracture. Generally, a compound fracture is more serious due to the risk of deep bone infection.
4. Types of Fractures Comminuted Fracture This type occurs when the bone is either shattered, broken into many small fragments, or splintered.
5. Greenstick Fracture This is a common childhood fracture resulting when a bone breaks partially. Sometimes one side of the bone breaks and the other side is merely bent.
6. Stress Fracture This is a slight fracture that is usually caused by a repetitive physical motion. It is a common injury associated with many sports, particularly running. This fracture typically occurs in weight –bearing bones.
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8. Fracture Treatments The treatment of a fracture depends on the severity and location. The types of treatment can be classified as with internal or external. The most common is fixation. This can be external in the form of casts, splints, or braces. An internal fixation is achieved through surgical means and requires the placement of plates, screws, rods or wires to immobilize the bone.
9. Fractures are very common injuries that usually occur in childhood, but the risk increases as we age that we will sustain a fracture from a simple fall due to the natural aging process. It is believed that a good Calcium and Vitamin D intake is crucial in supporting bone health to avoid injury.
