A fracture is a break in a bone. There are different types of fractures named after the damage done, including comminuted fractures where the bone is shattered into pieces, compression fractures which cause loss of height in vertebrae often from osteoporosis, and greenstick fractures where the bone is incompletely broken on one side and bent on the other commonly found in children.

1. FRACTURES
KELLI SLAUGHTER
BIOLOGY 120

2. What is a fracture?
 An injury to a bone that causes it to break
 Fractures are named to describe the type of damage
that occurs to the bone

3. Comminuted Fracture
 Fracture where the bone is shattered, splintered or
crushed into many small pieces or fragments.
 VERY PAINFUL
 Diagnosed with simple X-Ray
 Surgery and physical therapy
is often necessary for complete
recovery

4. Compression Fracture
 Involves loss of height of a vertebral body
 Usually found in older women
 Often caused by conditions such as osteoporosis
 Symptoms include SEVERE back pain
 Medications have proven
helpful in reducing pain

5. Greenstick Fracture
 Incomplete break where one side of the bone is
broken and the other side is bent
 Also known as a torus fracture
 Usually found in children
 Pain in the injured area, which usually will be red
and swollen

6. Greenstick Fracture Continued
 Splints have proven to
be most helpful when
treating a greenstick
fracture