Orthopedics

TEST TAKING TIP

TYPES OF FRACTURES

Which type of fracture is characterized by sharp fragments?

• Acute fractures

Which type of fracture is characterized by rounded fragments with callous formation?

• Chronic fractures; callous indicates an attempt at healing.

What are "greenstick" fractures?

• Incomplete disruptions of all aspects of the bony cortex in children; bone can be bent but not displaced with greenstick fractures.

Which type of fracture occurs through diseased bone (eg, a tumor or osteopenic bone)?

• Pathologic fractures

What are fractures called that have a communication to the skin?

• Open fractures (sometimes called "compound fractures")

What type of fracture is caused by rotational forces?

• A spiral fracture

What term is given to a fracture that breaks in multiple places?

• A comminuted fracture

What is a "butterfly fragment?"

• A smaller portion of bone that is separated from the larger portions by comminution; implies greater force and a bending mechanism; must be at least 3 fragments

Define a Monteggia fracture:

• Fracture of the proximal one-third of the ulna with associated dislocation of the radial head

Define a Galeazzi fracture:

• Fracture of the mid radius with associated dislocation of the distal radial-ulnar joint

Define a Lisfranc injury:

• A disruption of the Lisfranc ligament—the ligament binding the first metatarsal to the second

Scaphoid fractures most commonly occur as a result of:

• Fall on an outstretched hand

Where does a scaphoid (navicular) fracture of the wrist classically produce tenderness?

• Pain on the radial aspect of the wrist with tenderness over the anatomic snuffbox

Define a Chance fracture:

• A distraction-type injury of the spine where the anterior ligament fails under tension; often caused by a seatbelt injury. There is a high likelihood of associated abdominal injury (~60%).

Define a Jefferson fracture:

• Burst fracture of C1, the atlas—actually widens the spinal canal; therefore, spinal cord injury ...