Common Types of Fractures

Question 1

Comminuted fracture

Answer 1

• Bone breaks into three or more fragments

* Particularly common in older people, whose bones are more brittle

Question 2

Compression fracture

Answer 2

• Bone is crushed

* Common in porous bones (i.e. osteoporotic bones of older people)

Question 3

Depressed fracture

Answer 3

• Broken bone portion is pressed inward

* Typical of a skull fracture

Question 4

Impacted fracture

Answer 4

• Broken bone ends are forced into each other

* Commonly occurs when someone attempts to break a fall with outstretched arms

Question 5

Spiral fracture

Answer 5

• Ragged break occurs when excessive twisting forces are applied to a bone
• Common sports fracture

Question 6

Greenstick fracture

Answer 6

• Bone breaks incompletely, much in the way a green twig breaks
• Common in children, whose bones are more flexible than those of adults