Signs and Symptoms, Complications, Stages in Fracture Repair, Effects of Smoking, Diagnosis
- Breaking in the continuity of the periosteum, with or without similar discontinuity in endosteum
- Edema and hematoma of nearby soft tissues
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Damage to adjacent structures
- Non-union of fracture fragments
- Compartment syndrome
- Malunion
- Immediate, early, and late complications
- Fracture hematoma formation
- Callus formation (internal and external)
- Replacement of callus cartilage with trabecular bone
- Remodeling
- Healing bone callus mineralization
- Effects of smoking on bone density and healing
- Adequate nutrition and weight-bearing stress for bone healing
- Diagnosis through history, physical examination, and radiographic imaging
Types of Fractures, Classifications Named After People
- Simple fracture
- Compound fracture
- Greenstick fracture
- Comminuted fracture
- Skull fracture (including basilar skull fracture and blowout fracture)
- Denis classification (for spinal fractures)
- Frykman classification (for forearm fractures)
- Gustilo open fracture classification
- Letournel and Judet Classification (for acetabular fractures)
- Neer classification (for humerus fractures)
Prevention, Patterns
- Reduce distractions while driving
- Wearing seatbelts
- Lower speed limits
- Prevent falls at home
- Proper technique and protective gear in sports
- Linear fracture
- Transverse fracture
- Fingertip fracture
- Fracture from bending and snapping in the middle
Treatment, Bone Stimulation, Physical Therapy
- Immobilization with casts, splints, or braces
- Surgical methods
- Infection management
- Bone grafting and reinforcement with metal implants
- Electromagnetic or ultrasound bone stimulation
- Physical therapy exercises and gait training
- Recovery and rehabilitation through physical therapy
Children, Related Concepts
- Risk of growth plate injury or greenstick fracture in children
- Treatment considerations for growth plate injuries and plastic deformation in children
- Common fractures in children (clavicle and supracondylar fractures)
- Related topics: stress fracture, distraction osteogenesis, rickets, catagmatic, Orthopedic plaster casts
Additional Resources:
- References to books, articles, and study guides
- Additional subtopics on types of bone fractures, treatment options, surgical techniques, research and reviews
- Resources for further information on bone fractures
A bone fracture (abbreviated FRX or Fx, Fx, or #) is a medical condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the continuity of any bone in the body. In more severe cases, the bone may be broken into several fragments, known as a comminuted fracture. A bone fracture may be the result of high force impact or stress, or a minimal trauma injury as a result of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone cancer, or osteogenesis imperfecta, where the fracture is then properly termed a pathologic fracture.
| Bone fracture | |
|---|---|
| Other names | broken bone, bone break |
 | |
| Internal and external views of an arm with a compound fracture, both before and after surgery | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
| Diagnostic method | X-ray, MRI |
