FRACTURESDr Mohamed El Safwany, MD.

Intended learning outcome

The student should be able at the end of this lecture to recognize various radiographic principles of fractures.

What is a Bone Fracture?

“A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is abreak in the continuity of the bone. A bone fracture can be

theresult of high force impact or stress, or trivial injury as a

result of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones,

such as osteoporosis, and bone cancer.”

* A fracture is a broken bone that depending upon physical pressure or stress that was exerted on the bone ,it can be a large or small fracture.

• Symptoms of a fracture are: swelling, deformity, pain, and loss of function.

• Treatment for fracture is to get an x-ray, reduction, fixation, surgery, and rehabilitation.

Types of Fractures

There are several types of fractures such as closed, comminuted, compound, compression, fracture, greenstick, impacted, oblique, pathologic, spiral, stress, and transverse.

Types of Fracture**

Simple Colles’ Comminuted Compound Compression Greenstick

Impacted Oblique Pathologic Spiral Stress Transverse

Signs and Symptoms of Fracture

Signs and symptoms of fracture can vary depending on both the individual and the type of fracture

Some general signs and symptoms of fracture include: Local Pain Local Swelling Discoloration Deformity/Dislocation Inability to apply pressure Low pulse below fracture Possible nerve damage (numbness/paralysis)

Colles’ fracture

Colles’ Fractures

Is a wrist fracture. Is a transverse fracture of radius Is a common fracture in elders, children,

and women. Elders and children can fall easily and fall

in their wrist putting stress in that particular area causing it to break.

Colles’ fractures can occur in women due to postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Colles’ Fracture Symptoms, Aid, and Treatment Symptoms of colles’ fracture are: wrist pain,

swelling of wrist, deformity of wrist, unable to do activities with the hand.

What to do when a colles’ fracture happens? * Rest injured arm in a elevated position on a

pillowed or a soft surface. * Put ice on wrist to reduce inflammation Treatment *Get an x-ray to indicate reduction, possible

surgery and rehabilitation. Prevent falling and hurting same wrist and follow a well balance diet.

Comminuted Fracture

Comminuted Fracture

Fracture in which bone is shattered, or crushed into many small pieces”

Is a multi-fracture in a bone causing it to brake in many parts in the same region.

At least three broken pieces in the same region of the bone should be present to be a comminuted fracture.

A comminuted fracture is one of the most painful fractures and one of the fractures that take longer to heal.

Comminuted Fracture

Is a fracture that occurs in elderly people or people with weak bones.

People with cancer are prominent to have this kind of fracture due to weak bones.

Symptoms where fractured happens are: swelling, warm, and cant handle weight.

Complications of comminuted fracture can include compartment syndrome and necrosis when bone fails to join together.

Comminuted Fracture

Transverse Fracture

Complete fracture that is straight across the bone at right angle to the long axis of the bone.

The bone is broken in a perpendicular manner into two pieces.

This fracture is common in people that play karate or runners.

Treatment to put bone together might require a cast, metal pins, or screws.

Complication of transverse fracture is nerve damage.

Transverse Fracture

Spiral Fracture

A type of bone fracture that is caused by a twisting force. Difficult to treat, often requiring months in a cast and

possible surgery. Diagnosed by x-ray and examination.

Compound Fracture

Also known as an Open Fracture. Fracture in which the broken bone pierces through the

skin. Usually needs immediate surgical treatment for best

healing. If left untreated, bacteria can enter the wound and cause

infection. Length of healing is typically at least 2 months or more

depending on the severity of the break and surgery.

Types of Treatment for Fracture

Reduction of fracture (aligning of broken ends of bone)

Splinting Plaster Cast Surgery Traction Metal Supports (screws, rods, plates, etc.) Rehabilitation Physiotherapy

Assignment

Two student will be selected for assignment.

Text Book

David Sutton’s Radiology

Question

What are the various types of fracture?

Thank you