The Different Types of Fracture

There are many types of fractured cases and I am going to tell you about four of them:

1-Oblique

2-Comminuted

3-Spiral

4-Compound

We will discuss about all of them one by one. After reading this article you can easily understand what each type of fractured case is.

(a)Oblique Fracture > A fractured case in which the line of break runs obliquely to the axis of the bone. The break goes at an angle to the axis. In this fracture the patient face the problem of pain. Bones are the hardest part in the body but they cannot withstand higher forces and impacts. Broken bones and other fractured injuries are pretty common among young children and older people. When the bones maintain their alignment post injury, it results in non-displaced oblique fractured bone; when they don't, displaced oblique fracture bone occurs.

(b) Comminuted Fracture > Bones form the skeletal framework of the body, which provides support for the body, protects the internal organs and facilitates movement. There are as many as 206 bones in the human body. These bones are usually tough and can bend a little, but cannot withstand too much pressure. There are different types of fractured bones, which are classified into broad categories based on the characteristics of the injury. It is characterized by many relatively small fragments.

(c)Spiral Fracture > This occurs as a result of twisting. It is also known by the name torsion. The broken bone in X-ray images appear to be parallel to the bone axis and it is shaped similar to a corkscrew. Sports injuries are the most common causes of this injury. Falling off the stairs also results into such kind of broken, twisted bone.

(d) Compound Fracture > This is an open type of fractured bone because the skin surrounding the broken bone has broken. This is susceptible to infection because polluted air, dirt, and bacteria could get into the fractured site.

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.

Choosing the Right Treatment for Fracture

There are many types of fractures. They are classified under different categories. Treatment varies depending on the particular category to which the injury belongs to. This is why the diagnosis of the injury is critical to the identification of the treatment. The X-ray and radiographs should only be conducted and analyzed by experts.

Among all the available treatments for fractured bones, surgery is the last option. This is also the case with compression injuries. Surgery is only chosen as the last resort when no other treatment is working because it is very risky. Most of the times, the result may not be what you wished for. In worst cases, your body can become paralyzed.

Finally, the treatment for the fracture also depends on whether it is open or closed. Open fractures are treated surgically to ensure better and fast healing while closed ones can be treated by splinting or casting.

The principle of casting is very simple yet very important. Cast one joint above and one joint below the fractured area and care must be taken so that the tendons and muscles do not tug at the affected site. The healing starts after the casting is done but it usually takes about 2-3 months depending on the type of fracture.

Despite the availability of various treatment options, it would still be better to avoid fracture-related injuries. Many sports men face the problem of stress fracture. As we know it, prevention is better than cure. Players and sportsmen must wear a helmet, knee pad, elbow pad, and other safety gears to avoid any chance of injuries in the future. Also they must not play if they feel continuous pain in any part of their body.