What is the difference between fracture, dislocation, Fracture dislocation and sublaxation ?
- Fracture : discontinuity of bone.- Dislocation : disruption of the continuity of a joint. " joint surfaces are no longer in continuity".
- Subluxation : partial disruption of the continuity of a joint. " Joint surfaces are still opposed."
- Fracture dislocation : dislocation together with a fracture of one or more of the bones forming the joint.
What are the types of bone fracture ?
According to Etiology
1. Traumatic fracture (major trauma):
. Direct: fracture occurs at the point of trauma. e.g. crush fracture.
. lndirect :
- Avulsion e.g. patella (due to separation of long process with its attached muscles as a result of sudden undue movement).
- Angulation.
- Rotation.
- Compression " Burst fracture" e.g. vertebra.
2. Patholoqical fracture:
* A minor trauma to already weakened bone by pre-existing disease, by a degree
of stress or trauma . . The disease may be local e.g. metastasis or generalized e.g. osteoporosis.
3. Stress fracture (Fatigue fractures):
* Fractures that occur 2ry to repeated loads applied to the skeleton e.g. harsh fracture in 2nd & 3rd
metatarsal bones due to prolonged walking.
metatarsal bones due to prolonged walking.
According to relation to surrounding structures
1 . Closed (simple) fracture: does not communicate with the exterior environment
2. Open (compound) facture: communicates with the exterior environment or body cavity e.g. skull fracture communicating with air sinus.
3. Complicated fracture: there is associated damage to nerve, blood vessels or internal structure.
According to Shape of Fracture Line
1. Transverse (angle < 30o ).
2. Oblique (angle r30o ).
3. Spiral.
4. Comminuted = > 2 fragments.
5. Double level fracture or segmental fracture.
6. Epiphyseal separation
According to extent
1. Gomplete fracture.
2. lncomplete fracture:
- Fissure fracture: incomplete fracture in adult bone.
- Greenstick fracture: incomplete fracture in child (soft bones & thick periosteum.).
- Compression fracture.
According to lmpaction
1. Non-impacted.
2. lmpacted:
- A fragment is driven into the other fragment.
- Mainly occurs in epiphyseal areas e.g. with Colles'fracture.
According to stability
1. Stable fracture: unlikely to displace further.
2. Unstable fracture: will continue to displace further, if action isn't taken to keep the fracture secure.
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