Fractures (main): Difference between revisions

(Updated principles of fracture description.)
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==Describing Fractures==
==Describing Fractures==
A systematic approach for the description of fractures should be used to aid in clear communication with radiologists and consulting specialists.
A systematic approach for the description of fractures should be used to aid in clear communication with radiologists and consulting specialists.
# Laterality
* Laterality
# Affected Bone
* Affected Bone
# Location
* Location
** Intra-articular vs. extra-articular
** Intra-articular vs. extra-articular
** Portion of long-bone (proximal, middle, distal)
** Portion of long-bone (proximal, middle, distal)
** Anatomic site (ex. supracondylar, intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, femoral neck)
** Anatomic site (ex. [[supracondylar]], [[Intertrochanteric femur fracture|intertrochanteric]], [[Subtrochanteric femur fracture|subtrochanteric]], [[Femoral neck fracture|femoral neck]])
# Open vs. Closed
* [[Open fracture|Open]] vs. Closed
# Direction (orientation of fracture line relative to long-axis)
* Direction (orientation of fracture line relative to long-axis)
** Transverse
** Transverse
** Oblique
** Oblique
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** Comminuted (>3 fragments)
** Comminuted (>3 fragments)
** Impacted
** Impacted
**Torus / Greenstick (Peds)
**Torus / [[Greenstick Fracture|Greenstick]] (Peds)
# Alignment
* Alignment
** Displacement (distal relative to proximal fragment)
** Displacement (distal relative to proximal fragment)
***State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
***State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
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*** Fracture-Dislocation: Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement
*** Fracture-Dislocation: Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement


[[Salter Harris]]
* [[Salter Harris]]


==Head and Neck==
==Head and Neck==

Revision as of 21:57, 10 June 2016

Describing Fractures

A systematic approach for the description of fractures should be used to aid in clear communication with radiologists and consulting specialists.

  • Laterality
  • Affected Bone
  • Location
  • Open vs. Closed
  • Direction (orientation of fracture line relative to long-axis)
    • Transverse
    • Oblique
    • Spiral
    • Segmental (>2 fragments, with one segment not connected to either end)
    • Comminuted (>3 fragments)
    • Impacted
    • Torus / Greenstick (Peds)
  • Alignment
    • Displacement (distal relative to proximal fragment)
      • State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
    • Angulation
      • Deviation from longitudinal axis, described in degrees and direction
      • Direction of apex of angle formed from redrawn longitudinal axes of fracture fragments
    • Rotation
      • Twisting around longitudinal axis (distal relative to proximal fragment)
      • Described as medial or lateral rotation (towards or away from midline respectively)
    • Separation
      • Distance two fragments have been pulled apart (but not offset from each other)
    • Shortening
      • Amount by which a bone's length has been reduced (expressed in mm or cm)
      • May occur by impaction or by overriding
    • Other
      • Incomplete: Only one side of cortex disrupted
      • Stress: Caused by repetitive low-force trauma/impact
      • Pathologic: Caused by trivial trauma or biomechanically routine force, suggestive of abnormal bone.
      • Fracture-Dislocation: Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement

Head and Neck

Maxillofacial Trauma

Vertebral fractures and dislocations types

Vertebral anatomy.
Numbering order of vertebrae.

Upper Extremity

Humerus Fracture Types

Humeral anatomy

Elbow

Forearm Fracture Types

Carpal fractures

AP view

Hand and Finger Fracture Types

Torso

Chest

Abdomen

Spine

Lower Extremity

Proximal Leg

Distal Leg Fracture Types

Foot and Toe Fracture Types

Hindfoot

Midfoot

Forefoot

Other

See Also