Fracture (Description)

Open versus Closed
Location
- Intra-articular versus articular
- Mid-shaft, proximal 1/3, or distal 1/3
- Supracondylar
- Intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, femoral neck, or subcapital
Orientation of the fracture line
- Transverse
- Oblique
- Spiral
- Comminuted
- Segmental
- Torus / Greenstick (Peds)
Displacement
- Extent to which fracture fragments are offset from each other
  - State in terms of direct measurement (e.g. 4mm) or %width of bones (50% displacement)
- Direction of displacement is based on position of distal fragment relative to proximal
Separation
- Distance the 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
Angulation
- Described in terms of degree and direction
  - Degree
    - Calculate amount of "unbending" needed to make fx fragments parallel
  - Direction
    - Described by direction of the apex of the angle formed by the two fragments OR
    - Described by direction the terminal fragment is deviated
    - Examples: anterior or posterior, lateral or medial, radial or ulnar, dorsal or volar
Rotational Deformity
- Usually apparent on physical exam, not on radiographs
Fracture-Dislocation
- Be careful not to describe these injuries as fractures with displacement
Salter Harris

Source

Tintinalli

Authors: