This document discusses and compares three types of bone fractures:
Comminuted fractures occur when a bone is broken into three or more pieces. They tend to affect elderly people or those with weaker bones. Treatment may involve surgery to pin the broken pieces together.
Greenstick fractures happen when a bone bends but does not fully break. They typically affect children, who have more flexible bones. Treatment usually involves casting for 4-8 weeks.
Spiral fractures result from a twisting motion that causes the bone to fracture in a spiral pattern. They are common in toddlers who fall on an outstretched leg and skiers. Treatment may include surgery to pin the bone or several months in a cast.
2. A comminuted fracture occurs when the bone
involved has been broken, splintered, or
crushed into several pieces.
In order to be classified as comminuted, the
bone must be broken into at least three separate
pieces.
Comminuted fractures are also known as
multi-fragmentary fractures.
This type of fracture can occur at any location
in the bone.
3.
4. Comminuted fractures tend to happen to
elderly people and in people with weaker
bones, such as, people who have cancer or who
have osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone
disease).
Comminuted fractures are also likely to
happen to people who have been in car
accidents or other severe accidents or falls.
5. Severe pain will be experienced. Pain may even
be so severe that the person may pass out.
The person will not be able to bear weight on
the bone without severe pain.
The area of the break may swell and become
warm to the touch.
6. The first step to treating a comminuted fracture
is to see a physician and receive an x-ray of the
area.
The doctor will then decide if surgery is
necessary to pin the bones together so they
have a chance of binding together.
Several follow up appointments will be
necessary with an orthopedic physician to
make certain that the bone is healing properly.
This type of fracture may be difficult to heal
because of the severity of the break.
7. A greenstick fracture occurs when a bone
bends or cracks instead of breaking entirely
into separate pieces.
This type of fracture normally occurs in
children because they have softer and more
flexible bones.
Greenstick fractures are sometimes thought of
as sprains because the child may still have full
range of motion of the limb after the fracture
has occurred.
8.
9. The intense pain and swelling that is
experiences in comminuted and other fractures
is not typically experienced with greenstick
fractures. Although apparent deformity and
swelling is seen in some cases.
These fractures typically occur after a fall, and
occur more frequently in arms than in legs. If
your child presents with severe arm pain after
a fall it may be necessary to see a physician.
10. The physician will take an x-ray and then
determine whether the child needs a cast or
splint, depending on the severity of the break.
The bone may need to be repositioned if it is
out of place. This is usually done under
sedation.
Greenstick fractures typically take four to eight
weeks to heal depending on the age of the child
and severity of the break.
11. A spiral fracture is a type of bone fracture that
is caused by a twisting force.
Spiral fractures are also called torsion fractures.
They typically occur when one end of an
extremity is fixed and the rest of the extremity
remains in motion.
The fracture line spirals around the shaft of the
bone, and is usually slower to heal than other
fractures.
12.
13. Spiral fractures of the tibia typically occur in
preschool or toddler aged children who fall on
one extended leg.
Spiral fractures also occur in skiing accidents
because the skiers feet are locked into the boots
but their legs can be rotated violently in an
accident.
14. A spiral fracture is extremely painful so the
person typically knows the leg or other body
part is broken.
A physician will take an x-ray to verify the
type of fracture.
The fracture may require surgery to pin the
bone, or the bone will be set in a cast for several
months depending on the severity and location
of the break and the health of the individual.
