View source for Fractures (main)

==Describing Fractures<ref>Wolfson, A. B., Cloutier, R. L., Hendey, G. W., Ling, L., & Schaider, J. (n.d.). Approach to Musculoskeletal Injuries. In Harwood-Nuss' clinical practice of emergency medicine (6th ed.). LWW.</ref>==
[[File:Types of fracture.jpg|thumb|Types of fractures]]
[[File:Fracture Naming Construct.png|thumb|Fracture naming construct]]
A systematic approach for the description of fractures should be used to aid in clear communication with radiologists and consulting specialists.
*'''Laterality'''
*'''[[Open fracture|Open]] vs. Closed'''
*'''Affected Bone'''
*'''Location'''
**Intra-articular vs. extra-articular
**Portion of long-bone (proximal, middle, distal)
**Anatomic site (ex. [[supracondylar]], [[Intertrochanteric femur fracture|intertrochanteric]], [[Subtrochanteric femur fracture|subtrochanteric]], [[Femoral neck fracture|femoral neck]])
*'''Direction''' (orientation of fracture line relative to long-axis)
**Transverse
**Oblique
**Spiral
**Impacted
**Torus / [[Greenstick Fracture|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
***Valgus angulation is lateral
***Varus angulation is medial
**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
*'''Fragmentation'''
**Segmental (>2 fragments, with one segment not connected to either end)
**Comminuted (>3 fragments)

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

==Anatomic Terms==
*'''Diaphysis''' - shaft
*'''Metaphysis''' - widened ends of the bones adjacent to the physis
*'''Physis''' - radiolucent growth plate between metaphysis and epiphysis
*'''Epiphysis''' - secondary ossification center at the end of the bones
*'''Apophysis''' - secondary ossification center at site of tendon or ligament attachment

==Head and Neck==
{{Maxillofacial trauma DDX}}

{{Cervical spine injuries}}

==Upper Extremity==
{{Proximal arm fracture DDX}}

===Elbow===
*Adult
**[[Radial head fracture]]
**[[Olecranon fracture]]
**[[Elbow dislocation]]
**[[Capitellum fracture]]
*Pediatric
**[[Nursemaid's elbow]]
**[[Supracondylar fracture]]
**[[Lateral epicondyle fracture (peds)]]
**[[Medial epicondyle fracture (peds)]]
**[[Olecranon fracture (peds)]]
**[[Radial head fracture (peds)]]

{{Forarm fracture DDX}}

{{Carpal fractures}}

{{Hand and finger fractures DDX}}

==Torso==
===Chest===
*[[Clavicle fracture]]
**[[Clavicle fracture (peds)]]
*[[Scapula fracture]]
*[[Rib fracture]]
**[[Flail chest]]
*[[Sternum fracture]]

===Abdomen===
*[[Pelvic fractures]]

===Spine===
*[[Thoracic and lumbar spine injuries]]

==Lower Extremity==
===Proximal Leg===
*[[Hip Fracture]]
*[[Femur Fracture]]
*[[Knee Fracture]]

{{Distal leg fractures DDX}}

{{Foot and toe fractures DDX}}

==Other==
*[[Salter-Harris fractures]]

==Management==
{{General Fracture Management}}

==See Also==
*[[Fracture management overview]]
*[[Splinting]]
*[[Diagnoses by Body Part (Main)]]
*[[Fractures and dislocations (peds)]]
*[[Open fracture]]
*[[Joint dislocations (main)]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Orthopedics]]