Fractures (main)
Describing Fractures
- Open versus Closed
- Location
- Intra-articular versus articular
- Mid-shaft, proximal 1/3, or distal 1/3
- Supracondylar
- Intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, femoral neck, or subcapital
- Orientation of the fracture line
- Transverse
- Oblique
- Spiral
- Comminuted
- Segmental
- Torus / Greenstick (Peds)
- Displacement
- Extent to which fracture fragments are offset from each other
- State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
- Direction of displacement is based on position of distal fragment relative to proximal
- Extent to which fracture fragments are offset from each other
- Separation
- Distance the two fragments have been pulled apart (but not offset from each other)
- Shortening
- Amount by which a bone's length has been reduced (expressed in mm or cm)
- May occur by impaction or by overriding
- Angulation
- Described in terms of degree and direction
- Degree
- Calculate amount of "unbending" needed to make fx fragments parallel
- Direction
- Described by direction of the apex of the angle formed by the two fragments OR
- Described by direction the terminal fragment is deviated
- Examples: anterior or posterior, lateral or medial, radial or ulnar, dorsal or volar
- Degree
- Described in terms of degree and direction
- Rotational Deformity
- Usually apparent on physical exam, not on radiographs
- Fracture-Dislocation
- Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement
- Salter Harris
Head and Neck
Maxillofacial Trauma
- Ears
- Nose
- Oral
- Other face
- Zygomatic arch fracture
- Zygomaticomaxillary (tripod) fracture
- Related
Vertebral fractures and dislocations types
- Cervical fractures and dislocations
- Thoracic and lumbar fractures and dislocations
Upper Extremity
Humerus Fracture Types
Elbow
- Adult
- Pediatric
Forearm Fracture Types
- Distal radius fractures
- Radia ulna fracture
- Isolated radius fracture (proximal)
- Isolated ulna fracture (i.e. nightstick)
- Monteggia fracture-dislocation
- Galeazzi fracture-dislocation
- Forearm fracture (peds)
Carpal fractures
- Scaphoid fracture
- Lunate fracture
- Triquetrum fracture
- Pisiform fracture
- Trapezium fracture
- Trapezoid fracture
- Capitate fracture
- Hamate fracture
Hand and Finger Fracture Types
Torso
Chest
Abdomen
Spine
Lower Extremity
Proximal Leg
Distal Leg Fracture Types
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Tibial shaft fracture
- Pilon fracture
- Maisonneuve fracture
- Tibia fracture (peds)
- Ankle fracture
- Foot and toe fractures