Comminuted Fracture

The "comminuted" fracture, which splinters and contains small bone particles, can shatter into more than two pieces. This fracture is usually caused by severe force, such as in a car accident.

Delayed Union Fracture

Delayed union fracture refers to a bone fracture that is taking an exceptionally long amount of time to heal.

Greenstick Fracture

A "greenstick" fracture usually occurs in children, whose still soft bones splinter without breaking in two. Sudden force causes only the outer side of the bent bone to break.

Malunion Fracture

Malunion of a fracture refers to the healing of a fracture with incorrect anatomical alignment.

Repair of Fractures

When a bone is broken, the first step in repair is to take an X ray to confirm the diagnosis and to provide a clear picture of the type of fracture and the degree of displacement and misalignment. The first aim in treatment is to see that bone ends that abut each other are in alignment so that, when the fracture heals, the bone will retain its previous shape. Bone ends that have been displaced are maneuvered back into position. The bone may be manipulated through the skin using a local or general anesthetic, or the bone may be repositioned by means of an operation in which the site is opened. Once the fracture has been placed in proper position, the bone is immobilized to allow the broken pieces to reunite firmly. In some cases, the ends of the fractured bone may be fixed through the skin and into the bone and kept in position by attachment to an external frame; once the fracture has healed, the pins and frame are removed. In other cases an operation is done to open up the injury site and fasten together the bone pieces with metal screws, nails, plates, rods, or wires

Nonunion Fracture

Nonunion of a fracture refers to the absence of healing in a fracture.

Oblique Fracture

The "oblique" fracture is broken at an angle across the bone and is usually the result of a sharp angled blow to the bone.

Spiral Fracture

Spiral fracture refers to a fracture caused by a twisting force that creates an oblique fracture around and through the bone.

Transverse Fracture

A "transverse" fracture, which is broken straight across the bone, is the result of a sharp, direct blow or may be a stress fracture caused, for example, by prolonged running.

Union Fracture

Union of a fracture refers to healing of bone fracture fragments.