Fractures and Healing Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is a comminuted fracture
A fracture with more than 2 fragments
What usually causes a transverse fracture
when a force is applied directly to the site at which the fracture occurs
What can cause a spiral or oblique fracture
a twisting force applied distant from the site of fracture (e.g. each end of a long bone such as a tibia)
Who do greenstick fractures occur in
children whose bones are soft and yielding
Describe the appearance of a greenstick fracture on x ray
the bone bends without fracturing across completely - the cortex on the concave side usually remains intact
What causes a crush fracture
compression force
where do burst fractures occur and how
short bones e.g. vertebra
strong direct pressure, usually occurs as a result of impacting of the discs
What causes an avulsion fracture
traction
a bony fragment is torn off by a tendon or ligament
What is a fracture dislocation or subluxation
a fracture which involves a joint and results in malalignment
What is an open fracture
a surface wound that communicates with a fracture
Why do open fractures need urgent treatment
They can become infected
When is a fracture termed complicated
wen there is involvement of important soft-tissue damage e.g. nerves, vessels or internal organs
When is a fracture impacted
when the fragments are driven into one another
Are impacted fractures stable or unstable
Stable
What is an unstable fracture
a fracture which is displaced or has the potential to displace
What is an intra-articular fracture
one in which the fracture involves the joint surfaces
What classification is used for epiphyseal injuries
Salter and Harris (I-V)
What is the commonest type of epiphyseal fracture
Type 2 - the fracture line runs across the epiphyseal line and the obliquely shearing off a small triangle of metaphysis
What types of epiphyseal fractures have a good prognosisi
The first 3 types
What might a type 3 epiphyseal fracture require and who does it occur most commonly in
Open reduction and pinning
older children and adolescents
What is the commonest symptom of a fracture
Pain
What are the 6 clinical signs you need to look for in a suspected fracture
Tenderness Deformity Swelling Local temperature increase Abnormal mobility or crepitus Loss of function
Why does swelling in a fracture occur
Gross swelling - due to vascular rupture
Small - due to haematoma, and due to inflammatory exudation
How many planes should X rays be taken in
at least 2 - at right angles
