-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
musculoskeletal system
fracture
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition:
Any break in a bone.

etiology:
There are many types of fractures:

• Partial (incomplete): break across the bone is incomplete.
• Complete: bone is broken in two pieces.
• Closed (simple): broken bone does not protrude through the skin.
• Open (compound): broken bone protrudes through the skin.
• Comminuted: bone is splintered at the broken area and many smaller fragments of bone are found between the two main pieces.
• Greenstick: only occurs in children and is defined by having one side of the bone break and the other side just bend. Often seen in the radius.
• Spiral: breaking force twists the bone apart.
• Transverse: occurs at right angles to the bone.
• Impacted: one fragment is forcibly driven into the other.
• Colles': fracture of the distal end of the radius, and the fragment is displaced posteriorly.
• Potts': fracture of the distal end of the fibula, with serious injury of the distal tibial articulation.
• Displaced: correct anatomical alignment of the bone is not maintained.
• Nondisplaced: correct anatomical alignment of the bone is maintained.
• Stress: partial fracture resulting from the inability of the bone to withstand repeated stresses (e.g. doing aerobics on hard surfaces, running long distances). Almost a quarter of the stress fractures involve the fibula, particularly the distal third.
• Pathologic: fracture that is a result of normal stress on a weakened bone. It occurs in such diseases as osteoporosis, neoplasia, osteomyelitis, and osteomalacia.

signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms:
• History of trauma or relevant disease.
• Pain.
• Other signs based on what type of fracture has occurred.

lab findings:
• (+) X-ray findings. Sometimes, initial x-rays will be negative (e.g. in wrist bone fractures), but when the bone is filmed again in 7-10 days, the x-rays will show a healing line can be seen.

course and prognosis

Typically, with prompt setting of the bone and immobilization, healing occurs in 4-8 weeks. Complications include non-union of the bone or severe fractures requiring surgery and pinning. In major injuries, such as fracture of the femur, the patient may go into shock.

differential diagnosis

• severe sprain
• muscle tear
• somatic dysfunction
• differentiate types of fractures


footnotes