This document discusses three types of fractures: greenstick, compound, and compression. Greenstick fractures involve an incomplete break more common in children's pliable bones. Compound fractures break through skin, requiring aggressive treatment to close wounds and stabilize bones. Compression fractures cause vertebral height loss from trauma or osteoporosis, treated mainly through pain management. Examples and diagnostic/treatment details are provided for each fracture type.

1. Chapter 4:Chapter 4:
Musculoskeletal SystemMusculoskeletal System
Types of Fractures
In this presentation:
Traits, diagnosis, treatment, and examples of
greenstick, compound, and compression fractures.

2. Greenstick Fracture – TraitsGreenstick Fracture – Traits
Greenstick fractures result in an
incomplete break, as opposed to
transverse fractures which run
completely through the affected bone.
Commonly found in children due to their
softer and generally more pliable bone
structures.
More common in upper extremities.

3. Greenstick Fracture – Dx & TxGreenstick Fracture – Dx & Tx
Diagnosed by x-ray and physical
examination.
Difficult to diagnose due to lower rates
of swelling and pain.
Easily misdiagnosed as sprains.
Treatment for greenstick fractures
generally includes immobilization in a cast
or splint to allow proper healing and
protect the bone from further injury.

4. Greenstick Fracture – ExampleGreenstick Fracture – Example
An example of greenstick fractures is
shown below. Note the incomplete
break.

5. Compound Fracture – TraitsCompound Fracture – Traits
Compound fractures result in the
affected bone breaking through the layers
of tissue covering it.
One of the most serious types of
fractures, compound fractures need to be
attended to quickly to reduce the risk of
infection.
Common in both upper and lower
extremities.

6. Compound Fracture – Dx & TxCompound Fracture – Dx & Tx
Diagnosed by physical exam and x-ray.
Easily identified due to bone protrusions
and/or open wounds at the site of the
fracture.
Aggressive treatment is necessary to
stabilize the bone and close the wound.
Tx may include a cast, internal or
external skeletal stabilization, and therapy
or rehabilitation.

7. Compound Fracture – ExampleCompound Fracture – Example
An example of a compound fracture is
shown below. Note the severe angle.

8. Compression Fracture – TraitsCompression Fracture – Traits
Compression fractures result in the loss
of height in a vertebral body.
May be caused by trauma, but other
conditions such as osteoporosis can also
result in compression fractures.
Can result in lost height, back pain,
and/or kyphosis (a hunched posture).
In rare cases, may result in numbness,
tingling, or loss of bowel/bladder control.

9. Compression Fracture – Dx & TxCompression Fracture – Dx & Tx
Diagnosed by physical exam, x-ray, or
bone density test.
PT may be considered at risk if
osteoporosis or other bone-weakening
diseases are already known.
Treatment generally includes medication
for pain management, supplements to
increase calcium levels, and braces or
physical therapy.

10. Compression Fracture – ExampleCompression Fracture – Example
An example of a compression fracture.
Note the difference between compressed
and non-fractured vertebrae.

11. SourcesSources
Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih.gov
Medical Terminology: A Living Language
Fremgen, Frecht; 5e