Fractures: what they are, how they are classified and how to treat them
What do we mean by fractures? A fracture is defined as a break in a skeletal segment (bony or cartilaginous)
The exact point of interruption of the skeletal segment is referred to as the ‘fracture rhyme’, while ‘fracture focus’ is defined as the area immediately surrounding the fracture rhyme.
Classification of fractures
Fractures are based on aetiology, mechanism of injury, number of breaks, skeletal location and extent of damage.
With respect to aetiology, a distinction is made:
- traumatic fractures. When a single effective trauma causes the interruption of a healthy skeletal segment.
- Pathological fractures. When a minor trauma, which would not normally be sufficient to cause the interruption of a bone, acts on a skeletal segment already undermined by an ongoing or previous pathological process (fractures at the site of tumours, osteomyelitis, etc.). They are more correctly defined as fractures in pathological bone.
- Durable or fatigue fractures (stress fractures). When repeated microtraumas act on a healthy bone over time. They are well exemplified by fractures of the metatarsal bones in marathon runners.
Depending on the injury mechanism, we recognise fractures of four types:
- By bending: the trauma causes a change in the normal curvature of the bone until fracture.
- By torsion.
- By compression: they are typical of the spinal cord and the spongy tissue during the trauma is crushed between the diaphysis and the joint cavity.
- By tearing: abrupt traction on the skeleton of a ligament or tendon causes this type of fracture.
Based on the number of breaks, we recognise three types of fracture: unifocal, bifocal, plurifractured.
According to skeletal location: diaphyseal, metaphyseal, epiphyseal.
Based on displacement we recognise two types of fractures:
- compound. When there is no migration of stumps or fragments.
- decomposed. When the stumps or any fragments migrate.
- Exposed fractures occur when the bone comes into contact with the outside (with serious risk of infection through bacterial contamination).
Therapy
Therapy is conservative (plaster cast) in most compound fractures, and surgical in compound and/or exposed fractures.
Fractures usually heal in about 30 days in moderate-sized segments and in 3-6 months in long limb bones.
Read Also:
Emergency Live Even More…Live: Download The New Free App Of Your Newspaper For IOS And Android
Treating Injuries: When Do I Need A Knee Brace?
Wrist Fracture: How To Recognise And Treat It
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Pathophysiology Of Thoracic Trauma: Injuries To The Heart, Great Vessels And Diaphragm
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Manoeuvres: Management Of The LUCAS Chest Compressor
Chest Trauma: Clinical Aspects, Therapy, Airway And Ventilatory Assistance
Precordial Chest Punch: Meaning, When To Do It, Guidelines
Ambu Bag, Salvation For Patients With Lack Of Breathing
Blind Insertion Airway Devices (BIAD’s)
UK / Emergency Room, Paediatric Intubation: The Procedure With A Child In Serious Condition
Tracheal Intubation: When, How And Why To Create An Artificial Airway For The Patient
Endotracheal Intubation: What Is VAP, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Sedation And Analgesia: Drugs To Facilitate Intubation
AMBU: The Impact Of Mechanical Ventilation On The Effectiveness Of CPR
Manual Ventilation, 5 Things To Keep In Mind
FDA Approves Recarbio To Treat Hospital-Acquired And Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia
Pulmonary Ventilation In Ambulances: Increasing Patient Stay Times, Essential Excellence Responses
Microbial Contamination On Ambulance Surfaces: Published Data And Studies
Ambu Bag: Characteristics And How To Use The Self-Expanding Balloon
Anxiolytics And Sedatives: Role, Function And Management With Intubation And Mechanical Ventilation
Bronchitis And Pneumonia: How Can They Be Distinguished?
New England Journal Of Medicine: Successful Intubations With High-Flow Nasal Therapy In Newborns
Intubation: Risks, Anaesthesia, Resuscitation, Throat Pain
What Is Intubation And Why Is It Done?
What Is Intubation And Why Is It Needed? Insertion Of A Tube To Protect The Airway
Endotracheal Intubation: Insertion Methods, Indications And Contraindications
Airway Management: Tips For Effective Intubation
Quick And Dirty Guide To Chest Trauma
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis And Treatment
Knee Ligament Rupture: Symptoms And Causes
Lateral Knee Pain? Could Be Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Knee Sprains And Meniscal Injuries: How To Treat Them?
Stress Fractures: Risk Factors And Symptoms
What Is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?
RICE Treatment For Soft Tissue Injuries
P.O.L.I.C.E. Vs R.I.C.E.: The Emergency Treatment For Acute Injuries
How And When To Use A Tourniquet: Instructions For Creating And Using A Tourniquet
Bone Callus And Pseudoarthrosis, When The Fracture Does Not Heal: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
First Aid, Fractures (Broken Bones): Find Out What To Look For And What To Do