Question

Describe the different types of fracture.

Answer 1

A bone fracture is a medical condition in which the bone is broken by continuity. A crack in the bone (not just a break) is also known as a fracture. In any bone in the body, fractures can occur.

Complete Answer:
Due to high force impact or tension, a large number of bone fractures occur. However, certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, certain cancers or osteogenesis imperfecta (often known as brittle bone diseases), may also result from a fracture.
A medical condition-induced fracture is known as a pathological fracture.

A range of types of fractures occur, including:
1. Avulsion fracture - A bone is pulled on by a muscle or ligament, breaking it.
2. Com-minuted fracture - The bone is broken into a lot of pieces.
3. Compression (crush) fracture is a fracture that usually occurs in the spongy bone of the spine. The front portion of a vertebra in the spine, for instance, may collapse because of osteoporosis.
4. Fracture dislocation is a dislocation of the fracture joint and a fracture is present in one of the bones of the joint.
5. Greenstick fracture – The bone partially breaks on one hand, but does not break entirely so the remainder of the bone will bend. This is more common in children whose bones are thinner and more elastic.
6. Hairline fracture – a partial bone fracture. Often this form of fracture is more difficult to detect with routine x rays.
7. Impacted Fracture – One piece of bone goes into another when the bone is broken.
8. Intra Articular fracture – where the fracture reaches to the surface of the joint.
9. Longitudinal fracture – Break down along the length of the bone.
10. Oblique fracture – A fracture lateral to the long axis of the bone.
11. Pathological fracture – When the underlying disease or condition has already damaged the bone, resulting in a fracture (bone fracture caused by underlying disease / condition that has damaged the bone).
12. Spiral fracture – A fracture in which at least one portion of the bone has been bent.
13. Stress Fracture – More common among athletes. Bone fractures due to repetitive stress and strains.
14. Torus(buckle) Fracture – bone deforms but does not break. More common in kids. It's painful but it's stable.
15. Transverse fracture – A straight fracture right through the bone.

Note: Bone healing is a natural process, care revolves around creating ideal conditions for the bone to repair itself.