[25] Fracture Classification Flashcards
What are the classifications of fractures?
Traumatic
Stress
Pathological
What are the kinds of traumatic fractures?
Direct, e.g. assault
Indirect e.g. FOOSH causing clavicle fracture
Avulsion
What causes a stress fracture?
Bone fatigue due to repetitive strain
What is a pathological fracture?
A fracture caused by normal forces in a diseased bone
What are the local causes of pathological fractures?
Tumours
What are the general causes of pathological fractures?
Osteoporosis
Cushing’s
Paget’s
What views do you need when describing a radiograph of a fracture?
Radiographs must be orthogonal - request AP and lat films
What needs to be included in the radiograph of a fracture?
The joint above and the joint below
What needs to be included when describing a frature?
Demographs Pattern Anatomical location Intra/extra-articular Deformity Soft tissues Specific fracture classification or type if applicable
What should be commented on in ‘demographics’?
Patient details
Date radiograph taken
Orientation and content of image
Give some examples of fracture ‘patterns’
Transverse Oblique Spiral Multifragmentary Crush Greenstick Avulsion
On what basis is deformity described on fracture?
Distal relative to proximal
What are the potential deformities that might be seen on radiograph?
Translation
Angulation or tilt
Rotation
Impaction, leading to shortening
What should be commented on in ‘soft tissues’?
Open or closed
Neurovascular status
Compartment syndrome
Give some examples of specific fracture classifications/type
Salter-Harris
Garden
Colles’, Smiths’ etc
