2. Fracture Facts Medical term for a broken bone Average person has two during a lifetime Occurs when physical force to a bone is stronger than the bone Often easy to detect due to deformity
4. Open Fractures Formerly referred to as compound Open wound extends to site of fracture Fragment of bone protrudes through skin Potential for bone to become infected
5. Closed Fractures Formerly referred to as simple Skin is not perforated Complicated Soft tissue around closed fracture is damaged
6. Incomplete Fractures Fracture does not extend completely across the bone Greenstick On the convex side of the curve of the bone Occurs most often in children Hairline Two sections of bone do not separate Common in skull fractures
7. Complete Fractures Bone breaks into more than two places Comminuted Bone breaks usually into two major fragments and a smaller fragment Impacted One fragment is driven into cancellous portion of other fragment Sometimes know as “bucket fracture”
8. Directional Fractures Transverse Right angles to the long axis of the bone Spiral Helical course around the bone Oblique Obliquely in relation to the long axis of the bone
9. Treatment for Fractures Arms, Legs, Hands and Feet Splinting Ice Elevating Immobilization Neck and Back Long board and neck collar to protect spinal column PLEASE REFER TO A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER FOR A COMPLETE EVALUATION!!
