A fracture is a break in the bone

$�A fracture is a break in the bone tissue caused by impact, pressure or$

�A fracture is a break in the bone tissue caused by impact, pressure or stress � A fracture can be discovered through palpation (feeling for broken ends), ausculation (listening for crepitus) or looking at the image on an x-ray � A fracture is often going to characterized by �local bruising and tenderness �pain or discomfort when pleasure is placed upon it �Possible skin stretch marks �Local swelling �Formation of hematomas

� Closed/Simple �The bones which broke do not penetrate the skin (but may be seen under the skin) � Open/Compound �A broken bone that pierces/ punctures through the skin **There is a high risk of infection � Complete �Broken into two separate pieces (ex. Oblique) � Incomplete �The fracture

�A crack in the bone that does not extend through the entire bone � closed, incomplete **No displacement

$�a fracture in which the bone breaks into many pieces �Often closed, complete$

�a fracture in which the bone breaks into many pieces �Often closed, complete

$�a fracture in which the bone is bent �closed, incomplete ** Often seen in$

�a fracture in which the bone is bent �closed, incomplete ** Often seen in children, conducive to the bone’s development stage

$�a fracture in which the break has a curved or slanted pattern � Can$

�a fracture in which the break has a curved or slanted pattern � Can be both open and closed, complete

$�a fracture at a right angle to the bone's axis (straight across; east to$

�a fracture at a right angle to the bone's axis (straight across; east to west) � Can be both open and closed, complete

�a bone breaks down the shaft in a spiral pattern � closed, incomplete or complete *The dotted line on the image is showing the crack on the posterior side

� Tendons pull bone away from bone (ex. heel spur) � Closed, complete

� Occurs when two ends are driven into each other � Closed, can be complete and incomplete **Often seen with the scaphoid (carpal) and vertebrae

� occurs when muscles are too fatigued to absorb the shock, overstressed muscle transfers the impact to the bone causing tiny cracks � Closed, incomplete– equivalent to a hairline fracture � Occurs with: �Rapid increase in activity �Activity on a new surface �Wearing poor shoes

$� Severity of fracture depends upon location and the damage done to the bone$

� Severity of fracture depends upon location and the damage done to the bone and tissue near it � Can have dangerous complications if not treated promptly; includes �damage to blood vessels or nerves �infection of the bone or surrounding tissue � Healing time depends on the age and health of the patient and the type of fracture �Ex. A minor fracture in a child may heal within a few weeks; a serious fracture in an older person may take months to heal.