Fracture (Description)

1. Open versus Closed
2. Location
   1. Intra-articular versus articular
   2. Mid-shaft, proximal 1/3, or distal 1/3
   3. Supracondylar
   4. Intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, femoral neck, or subcapital
3. Orientation of the fracture line
   1. Transverse
   2. Oblique
   3. Spiral
   4. Comminuted
   5. Segmental
   6. Torus / Greenstick (Peds)
4. Displacement
   1. Extent to which fracture fragments are offset from each other
      1. State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
   2. Direction of displacement is based on position of distal fragment relative to proximal
5. Separation
   1. Distance the two fragments have been pulled apart (but not offset from each other)
6. Shortening
   1. Amount by which a bone's length has been reduced (expressed in mm or cm)
   2. May occur by impaction or by overriding
7. Angulation
   1. Described in terms of degree and direction
      1. Degree
         1. Calculate amount of "unbending" needed to make fx fragments parallel
      2. Direction
         1. Described by direction of the apex of the angle formed by the two fragments OR
         2. Described by direction the terminal fragment is deviated
         3. Examples: anterior or posterior, lateral or medial, radial or ulnar, dorsal or volar
8. Rotational Deformity
   1. Usually apparent on physical exam, not on radiographs
9. Fracture-Dislocation
   1. Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement
10. Salter-Harris

Source

Tintinalli