Friday, May 25, 2012

Guide to the Types of Fractures


The medical term used for a broken bone is fracture. On an average, a person can have two fracture-related injuries during a lifetime. It may vary from person to person depending on the lifestyle and activities of the individual. The risk of having fracture also depends on your age. Children are very prone to fractured bones but there cases are less complicated. While in adults, bones become very brittle and are more likely to get broken and bring complicated problems along with it. Fractures occur when there is more stress and force applied to the bone. The reason may be an accident, fall, sudden slip or constant stress.
Bony structures, like the ribcage and skull, protect the vital organs of our body. Bones with the help of tendons and muscles form a framework to support the body and its locomotion.
Fracture treatment totally depends on the type of fractured bone that you have. So let us discuss about the fracture types. They can be classified into four main categories:-
a) Displaced fractures-The bone breaks up into two or more parts in such a way that they are not lined up straight. If the bone breaks up into several parts, it is referred to as a comminuted fracture.
b) Non-displaced fracture-The bone is either cracked partially or all of them thoroughly. The broken bone remains at the same place and maintains its alignment.
c) Closed fracture- The broken bone does not rupture the skin at the site of fracture. This can be treated simply by splinting and casting method.
d) Open fracture- This can be a complicated injury. The bone breaks and comes out of the skin and it may recede back in the wound. Firstly, it is treated surgically and then the splinting method is used for its immobilization, which would help in proper healing of the fractured bone.

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