The various types of bone fractures exhibit distinct characteristics and can be classified accordingly.
• Closed Fracture (Simple Fracture): The bone breaks, but the surrounding tissue remains intact; the skin is not pierced.
• Open Fracture (Compound Fracture): The broken bone penetrates through the skin, posing a risk of infection.
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• Greenstick Fracture: Common in children, the bone bends and partially breaks, with one side breaking and the other bending.
• Comminuted Fracture: The bone breaks into three or more fragments, often making treatment more challenging.
• Transverse Fracture: The fracture line is perpendicular to the bone’s axis, often caused by a direct blow.
• Oblique Fracture: The fracture line is diagonal to the bone’s axis, typically caused by a force at an angle.
• Spiral Fracture: The fracture line spirals around the bone, often caused by a twisting motion, common in sports injuries.
• Compression Fracture: The bone is crushed or compressed, often seen in the spine and associated with osteoporosis.
• Avulsion Fracture: A fragment of bone is pulled away by a tendon or ligament, common where tendons or ligaments attach.
• Stress Fracture: A hairline crack due to repetitive stress or overuse, common in athletes, especially runners.
• Pathological Fracture: Occurs in weakened bones due to an underlying disease, such as cancer or osteoporosis.
• Impacted Fracture: One bone fragment is driven into another, often seen in long bones like the femur.
• Segmental Fracture: The bone is broken in two places, creating a free-floating segment, making treatment challenging.
