Failure caused by growth of a crack.
To result in a fracture; to split up, rupture, or tear.
Term used to describe an injury to a bone in which the continuity of the tissue is broken.
Any break in the integrity of a bone. Specifically, are identified as (a) simple, no external wound; (b) compound, an external wound; (c) complicated, injury to some internal organ; (d) comminuted, splintered; (e) impacted, one end of the bone is wedged into the interior of the other end; (f) incomplete, the does not include the whole bone; (g) greenstick, the bone is bent and partially broken; (h) separation of an epiphysis, between the shaft of the bone and its growing end; and (i) depressed; a piece of the skull is driven inward (Table F-l).
Breaks in bones, as from a fall or a blow, but sometimes during normal use, as in certain disorders such as osteoporosis. Fractures may be classified by the nature of the break. Simple fractures, also called closed fractures, are those in which the two bone pieces are not displaced and so do not break the skin or damage surrounding tissue. Breaks in which the pieces of the bone break the skin and damage surrounding tissue are called open, or compound, fractures. Some other special types of fractures include the comminuted fracture, when bone is shattered into more than two pieces, as in an automobile accident; a transverse fracture, in which the two pieces of bone are dislocated sideways by a sharp blow or from stress after excessive use; and greenstick fracture, common in young children, in which the bone bends and breaks only partway through (as in a young growing twig, rather than an old dry stick). Breaks resulting from overuse, as in over-exercising as part of a sports program, are called stress fractures. X-rays or other scans are often used to give physicians a picture of the exact nature of the break.
Breakage of bone due to injury or disease process; classified according to the direction of the break or degree of disruption of structural integrity.
The medical name for a broken bone, referring to a break or crack in a bone or in cartilage. There are two basic types of fracture: a compound (open) fracture and a simple (closed) fracture. A compound or open fracture involves a broken bone that ruptures the skin, exposing the bone. This is a more serious fracture, which requires emergency medical attention, because it allows germs to reach the bone and cause infection. A simple or closed fracture is a broken bone that does not break through the skin and is not visible on the surface. The term single fracture indicates that one break has occurred in a bone; multiple fractures means more than one break in the same bone. A fracture is called complete if the bone is broken straight through, and incomplete, or greenstick, if the break does not extend through the complete width of the bone shaft, sometimes involving bending or crushing of the bone. Greenstick fractures most commonly occur in young children whose bones are more pliable.
Breakage of a bone, either complete or incomplete. A simple fracture involves a clean break with little damage to surrounding tissues and no break in the overlying skin. If a bone end pierces the overlying skin the fracture is compound, and there is a risk of infection. Fracture of an already diseased bone is termed a pathological fracture and may occur after minor injuries. Treatment of a simple fracture includes realignment of the bone ends where there is displacement, immobilization by external splints or internal fixation, followed by rehabilitation.