Question

Anatomy Mini-Tutorial: Fracture Patterns

Answer 1

\({\bf{Fracture~Patterns:}}\) will try to group these in a way that is easier to memorize

> simple vs. compound (also called closed vs. open):
both of these are complete, clean breaks. in a simple break, the bone does not pierce the skin while compound break does

> comminuted: bone that breaks into small pieces
think: "minute" or small

> compression vs depression:
bone that is crushed vs bone that is indented or pushed in
think about the definitions of compressed and depressed outside of an anatomical context

> Calle's vs. Smith's: both of these affect the distal end of the radius but
Calle's is in the posterior region and caused by extension while Smith's is in the anterior region and caused by flexion

> Transverse: break along the transverse axis. remember this is the axis that separates the top/bottom parts of a subject

> Impacted: fracture where the broken ends of a bone "impact" each other, imagine two cars crashing/impacting

> Spiral: bone is twisted and breaks. Imagine the bone being twisted along a spiral axis.

> Epiphyseal: break along the epiphyseal line (growth site in long bones). pretty self-explanatory.

> Greenstick: incomplete break. imagine one of those green glowsticks; to activate the compounds you don't break the stick completely.

> Pott's: malleolus (bony extensions) of the tibia and fibula break. so far I don't have an easy way to remember this but you can imagine the two t's like the tibia and fibula of the leg I guess.

Answer 2

Adapted from Human Anatomy, Martini, et. al. 9th edition & my professor's lecture notes