What are Bone Fractures?

Bone Fractures

PA radiographs of the feet of a middle-aged female patient. The first radiograph (a) shows stress fractures in both feet in various stages of healing (black arrows). Symmetrical fractures at the base of the second metatarsals. Two years later (b) the fractures at the base to the second metatarsals have still not healed (black arrows); the fracture of the right fourth metatarsal has remodeled well and is now hard to appreciate (white arrow); the fracture of the right third metatarsal has healed (black arrowhead). Stress fractures are not rarely bilateral and symmetrical. Fractures at the base of a metatarsal heal less well than midshaft fractures. Stress fracture of the pelvis and lower limbs including atypical femoral fractures-a review. Tins BJ, Garton M, Cassar-Pullicino VN, Tyrrell PN, Lalam R, Singh J - Insights into imaging (2014). Not Altered. CC.

Bone fractures are a medical condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the continuity of a bone.

Types of fractures include:

Simple fractures
Compound fractures
Displaced fractures
Stress fractures
Greenstick fractures
Pathologic fractures

What are Simple Fractures?

Simple fractures are those in which the overlying skin is intact.

What are Compound Fractures?

Compound fractures are a type of bone fracture caused by high-energy trauma.

What are Displaced Fractures?

Displaced fractures are a type of fracture, in the bone that snaps into two or more parts and moves so that the two ends are not lined up straight.

What are Stress Fractures?

A stress fracture is a fatigue-induced bone fracture caused by repeated stress over time.

What are Greenstick Fractures?

A greenstick fracture is a fracture in a young, soft bone in which the bone bends and breaks.

What are Pathologic Fractures?

Pathologic fractures are bone fractures caused by weakness of the bone structure, usually, due to an underlying pathology that leads to decreased mechanical resistance to normal mechanical loads.

How do Fractures Heal?

Fractures heal by the following steps:

Hematoma formation
Fibrocartilaginous callus formation
Bony callus formation
Bone remodeling

Last updated on May 27, 2022