This document discusses different types of bone fractures including spiral, comminuted, and transverse fractures. Spiral fractures occur when the bone twists, often resulting from sports injuries or falls. They usually heal within 4-6 weeks with casting, but surgery may be needed if the bones are misaligned. Comminuted fractures involve the bone breaking into several pieces, commonly affecting the elderly or frail. They require pinning and cause more pain, with healing times varying. Transverse fractures occur when the bone breaks perpendicular to its axis, usually from direct blows. They also necessitate casting or surgery depending on severity, with recovery taking several months.

1. Fractures
Biology 120: Medical Terminology
By: Amy Slaight
09/12/2012

2. What is a Fracture?
A break in the bone caused by:
Trauma
Muscle Spasm
Loss of Leverage
Disease
Repeated Strain
Fractures range from a thin break
or split (hairline) to complete
separation of a bone into two
parts

3. Types of Fractures
There are many different types of bone fractures
Some more commonly known such as Simple & Compound
In this presentation, we will focus
on 3 different kinds of fractures:
Spiral
Comminuted
Transverse

4. Spiral Fractures - Overview
An injury resulting in a twisting of the bone (helix pattern)
Common in the tibia and fibula simultaneously
Often results from a sports injury or a fall down the stairs

5. Spiral Fractures – Healing &
Treatment
Average healing time is between 4 and 6 weeks
If the break is clean:
Use of a cast and immobilization usually does the trick
If the bones are jagged and uneven
The rough bone fragments can sever muscles and blood vessels
The bones are not aligned for proper healing
Therefore, surgery is necessary to insert pins/rods into the bones

6. Comminuted Fractures - Overview
A fracture in which the bone fragments into several pieces
At least 3 pieces, but often more
Also known as multi-fragmentary fractures
Can occur anywhere along the length of the bone
This type of fracture is most common in:
Elderly folks
Frail people (weakened immune systems)
Result of serious trauma (car accidents)

7. Comminuted Fractures – Healing &
Treatment
Tremendous pain is most likely experienced, and
medical help is sought directly after accident
After X-ray fracture is often pinned together to
begin healing
Common complications include vascular necrosis
(breakdown of flesh) and infection
Healing time varies, and frequent revisits and
trip to orthopedic specialist is recommended

8. Transverse Fractures - Overview
Bone is broken in the manner that is
perpendicular to how the bone runs
Typically the result of a direct blow
to a long bone
Can also occur as a consequence to
repeat motions, such as running
Action can cause bone to separate

9. Transverse Fractures – Healing &
Treatment
Very painful, and medical help is sought quickly after injury
Open or closed reduction (manual adjustment) before cast is
applied
Several months of recovery before bones fuse back together
When injury is closed, X-ray helps determine next steps
Surgical or non-surgical reduction will follow (depend on severity)
With an open transverse fracture, surgery is a must
This can include metal pins, plates, and screws in addition to
reduction techinque

10. Sources
Content:
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/oblique+fracture
http://www.medicinenet.com/fracture/index.htm
http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-is-the-treatment-for-a-spiral-fracture.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-comminuted-fracture.htm
Pearson Prentice Hall – Medical Terminology, 4th Edition , 2009
Photos:
http://www.eorthopod.com/content/adult-femur-fractures-types
http://www.ilizarov.org.uk/images/comm1.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Displaced_distal_radius_
fracture.jpg/592px-Displaced_distal_radius_fracture.jpg
http://www.medicinenet.com/fracture/page2.htm