A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. There are many different types of fractures. Bone fractures are often caused by falls, trauma, or as a result of a direct blow or kick to the body. Overuse or repetitive motions can cause stress fractures.

What are the causes of fractures?

Fall from a height. Trauma. Motor vehicle accidents. Direct blow. Child abuse. Repetitive forces, such as those caused by running, can cause stress fractures of the foot, ankle, tibia, or hip.

What is a fracture example?

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone. A fracture occurs when force exerted against a bone is stronger than the bone can structurally withstand. The most common sites for bone fractures are the wrist, ankle and hip.

What is the classification of a fracture?

Your provider will classify your fracture as either open or closed. If you have an open fracture, your bone breaks through your skin. Open fractures are sometimes referred to as compound fractures. Open fractures usually take longer to heal and have an increased risk of infections and other complications.

How to treat a fracture?

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. Keep the injured area from moving. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. ... Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. ... Treat for shock.

A complex fracture refers to a break that is severe and includes injury to joints, ligaments, soft tissues and tendons. If you have a complex fracture, the Penn Orthoplastic team is uniquely equipped to provide the comprehensive care you need.

What is the difference between a simple and complex fracture?

When a fracture happens, it's classified as either open or closed: Open fracture (also called compound fracture): The bone pokes through the skin and can be seen, or a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin. Closed fracture (also called simple fracture). The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.

Is a complex fracture bad?

The term “complex fracture” describes a broken bone that is more severe than what is common or routine. Fractures are considered to be complex when: The fragments are comminuted (broken into many pieces) The soft tissues are severely damaged.

An intraarticular fracture is a fracture that crosses a joint surface. Such fractures also involve some cartilage damage. Fractures to joints are more complicated to treat and heal than simple fractures, as multiple bones are involved. Bone fragments inside the damaged joint may impede healing time and efficacy.

What is the difference between intra and extra articular fracture?

Fracture types can be described as “extra – articular” (which means the fracture line does not extend into the joint) or “intra – articular” ( which means the fracture line does extend into the joint; this is the more serious type of fracture).

Can an intra-articular fracture heal without surgery?

Intraarticular fracture require absolute reduction otherwise the joint biomechanics is altered leading to early arthritis. Most intra articular fractures require open reduction and fixation with plate / screws.