Definitions FRACTURES

Question 1

• Refers to a sliding of the fracture fragments (e.g. the broken ends)
• Described in % and direction that the distal fragment has slid from its normal position

Answer 1

translation

e.g. 50% translation (the two ends only meet at half their widths) or 100% translation with 1 cm shortening (one end has slid past the other by 1 cm)

Question 2

• Refers to an angular deformity of the fracture

* Described by the direction and amount (in degrees) of displacement from the normal axis of the distal fragment

Answer 2

angulation

Question 3

when union has not occurred after 6 months

Answer 3

nonunion

Question 4

the relationship of fracture fragments to one another

Answer 4

apposition

Question 5

a “fatigue” fracture caused by overuse

Answer 5

stress fracture

Question 6

Caused by underlying bone disease such as osteoporosis, tumor, cyst, etc.
Suspect this when fracture occurs with little or no trauma

Answer 6

pathologic fracture

Question 7

fracture in which bone has broken into several pieces

Answer 7

comminuted fracture

Question 8

fracture across a long bone, perpendicular to length of bone (opposite of longitudinal fracture)

Answer 8

transverse fracture

Question 9

fracture angled through long bone, neither transverse nor longitudinal

Answer 9

oblique fracture

Question 10

one side of the bone is fractured (gap visible) and the other side is just buckled

Answer 10

greenstick fracture

Question 11

there is no break of the bone, only a buckling

Answer 11

torus/buckle fracture

Question 12

~a process that involves the removal of mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by the formation of bone matrix through the osteoblasts that subsequently become mineralized

Answer 12

remodeling

Question 13

bony and cartilaginous material forming a connecting bridge across a bone fracture during repair

Answer 13

callus

Question 14

physis is separated on imaging or

localized pain with normal imaging

Answer 14

Salter-Harris I

Question 15

fracture involves metaphysis, extends into physis

Answer 15

Salter-Harris II

Question 16

fracture involves epiphysis, extends into physis

Answer 16

Salter-Harris III

Question 17

fracture involves metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis

Answer 17

Salter-Harris IV

Question 18

physis is compressed

Answer 18

Salter-Harris V

Question 19

~fracture of the distal radius caused by falling onto extended hands
~distal fragment is displaced DORSALLY

Answer 19

Colles fracture

Question 20

~”reverse Colles fracture”
~fracture of the distal radius caused by falling onto flexed hands (or direct blow to forearm)
~distal fragment is displaced VOLARLY

Answer 20

Smith fracture

Question 21

closed, displaced fracture of the neck of the 4th and/or 5th metacarpal

Answer 21

boxer fracture

Question 22

fracture of the base of the first metacarpal (thumb joint) that also often results in dislocation of the metacarpal

Answer 22

Bennett fracture

Question 23

elevation of soft tissue over a fracture (e.g. swelling or tissue displacement) that can indicate a fracture (especially in kids) even when fracture is not visible on imaging

Answer 23

fat pad sign

Question 24

Pediatric fractures that involve the physis are described using the ____________ classification.

Answer 24

Salter-Harris

Question 25

When union has occurred but it is nonfunctional or unacceptable in some way

Answer 25

malunion