This document defines a fracture as a complete or incomplete break in a bone caused by excessive force. It then classifies fractures based on their position, completeness, and penetration. The three main types discussed are greenstick, stress, and spiral fractures. For treatment, fractures require stabilization, wound care if open, and diagnostic testing. Reduction and fixation may be needed to realign the bone. Finally, the document explains the bone healing process and importance of rehabilitation.

1. Whitney R Harris

2.  Define fracture
 List fracture classifications
 Indentify and describe the three fracture types
discussed
 Explain acute (immediate)/diagnostic care
 Basic understanding of the healing process and
rehabilitation implications

3.  DEFINITION: A fracture is a complete or
incomplete break in a bone resulting from the
application of excessive force
 Most fractures (breaks) are the result of sports
injuries, car accidents or falls; while others may
occur from disease or illness
 Fracture is often denoted with the abbreviation Fx

4.  POSITION
 Displaced-Bone ends are
OUT of normal alignment
 Non-Displaced- Bone
ends KEEP their normal
alignment
 COMPLETENESS
 Complete- Bone is totally
separated
 Incomplete-Bone is only
separated on one side and
not the other
 PENETRATION
 Open (Compound)-Bone
DOES penetrate skin
 Closed (Simple)-Bone
does NOT penetrate skin

5. GREENSTICK SPIRAL
STRESS

6.  WHAT: Incomplete fracture, break occurs on
one side of the bone and does not completely
separate the bone ends
 MECHANISM: Usually occurs from a bending
force
 POPULATION: Most often seen in adolescents
because their bones are still developing and
have more flexibility. Therefore, they will
bend, but not completely break such as an
adult

7.  WHAT: Incomplete fracture, tiny crack in the bone
 MECHANISM: Repetitive stress (overuse); such as,
running, jumping. Stress fracture can also occur
with the sudden increase of physical activity like a
new exercise program.
 Stress fractures can occur at multiple locations but the
most common areas are the tibia(front of lower leg) and
the metatarsals (bones in the top of the foot)
 POPULATION: Commonly affects runners or
those whose bones are weakened by Osteoporosis
 Stress Fracture –Click & watch video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_de
tailpage&v=j837b3S62uQ&list=PL6034F7811D4F7B8C

8.  WHAT: Complete fracture with an S-Shaped
separation, which may be open (compound) or closed
(simple).
 MECHANISM: Usually occurs from a forceful torsion
or twisting. If a person’s foot is firmly planted on the
ground and the body is turned suddenly in the
opposing direction.
 POPULATION: Commonly seen in athletes (football
and skiing) because of the nature of sports planting
(forceful weight bearing) coupled with a sudden
change of direction.

9.  STABILIZE- On-site, medical staff, such as paramedics, will hold body part in the position it is found
with proper equipment to ensure safe transport to the hospital as well as to decrease further injury of
the bone and surrounding structures, such as; tendons and nerves .
 WOUND CARE-Greenstick and stress fractures are closed-(not coming through the skin) as such the
risk of infection is greatly decreased, however, a spiral fracture may be open (compound) or closed
(simple). Precautions are taken to reduce the risk of infection as well as stop blood lose.
 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS: Often the exact nature of a fracture is difficult to detect without diagnostic
testing, X-ray (Radiography) or bone scan are generally used to determine what kind of fracture has
been sustained.
 REDUCTION: Correcting a fracture by realigning the bone
 Closed: Correction without entering the body
 Open: Physician makes an incision at the injury to realign structure
 FIXATION: Hold bone in place, for proper healing
 External: casts, walking boot, pins
 Internal: plates, screws, wires
• Fracture Repair Click & watch video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21plYYmaxi8&feature=player_detailpage

10. A LITTLE REMODELING-
THE HEALING PROCESS
 Hematoma (bleeding) occurs at
the injury site and the body rids
itself of damaged tissues (PICTURE 1)
 Repair begins as a soft callus
forms (PICTURE 2)
 Repair continues as a hard callus
forms (PICTURE 3) AS GOOD AS NEW-
Remodeling lays down new tissue

(PICTURE 4) REHABILITATION
 Complete fracture healing process
takes about 6-8 weeks. During this  Stress has to be placed
time the injured body part is
immobilized using a cast, crutches on the body part to
and/or walking boot.
regain normal flexibility
Bone Healing Click & watch video!
(motion) , strength and
function
 Exercise is needed to
complete and continue
the integrity of the
remodeled (new) tissue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVougiCEgH8&feature=player_detailp
age

11.  Fermgen, B. F., & Frucht, S. S. (2009) Medical
terminology: A Living language. New Jersey:
Pearson-Prentice Hall.
 Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2010) Human
anatomy and physiology. San Francisco:
Pearson.
 Prentice, W. E. (2003)Arenheim’s Principles of
athletic training: A Competency-Based
approach. New York: McGraw-Hill.