Types of Fractures in Anatomy

Fractures

• A fracture occurs when the force applied to a bone exceeds the bone's strength
• Types of fractures:
  • Open (compound) fracture: break in the overlying skin, exposing the fracture to the outside environment
  • Closed fracture: skin remains intact, not exposed
  • Angulation: bone is misaligned, forming an angle between fractured fragments
  • Non-displaced fracture: simple crack in the bone
  • Displaced fracture: two bone ends are separated in at least one plane

Signs and Symptoms of Fractures

• Obvious deformity
• Shortening
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Discoloration
• Tenderness
• Pain, especially guarding or crepitus (grating sensation)
• Locked joint (difficult and painful to move)

Other Types of Injuries

• Dislocation: bone is totally displaced from the joint
• Subluxation: partial dislocation of a joint
• Sprains: stretched or torn ligaments
• Strains: injury to a muscle and tendon
• Achilles tendon rupture: usually occurs in athletes over 30 years old, involving sudden pain and inability to perform plantar flexion

Acute Management

• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) principle
• Pain control
• Separation of a limb or body part from the remainder of the body (amputation)
• Hemorrhage: severe bleeding from amputation

Assessment and Management

• Primary survey: managing ABCs (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation), identifying life threats, and getting patient priority
• Secondary assessment: full body exam, identifying hidden injuries, and evaluating circulation, motor function, and abnormal sensations
• Six Ps of musculoskeletal assessment: Pain, Paralysis, Paresthesia, Pulselessness, Pallor, and Pressure
• Reassessment: repeating primary survey, maintaining ABCs, and stabilizing injuries

Splinting

• Goals: immobilize the bone ends and adjacent joints, decrease pain and swelling, and prevent further injury
• Types of splints:
  • Rigid splints
  • Traction splints (for mid-shaft femur fractures)
  • Pneumatic splints (for stabilizing lower leg or forearm fractures)
  • Formable splints (vacuum splints, pillow splints, Sam splints, sling and swath, and pelvic binder)

Transportation

• Priority: patients with pulseless limbs or possible compartment syndrome
• Mode of transportation: helicopter or immediate ground transportation if treatment is 1 hour or more away

Fractures

• A fracture occurs when the force applied to a bone exceeds its strength
• Types of fractures include open (compound), closed, angulation, non-displaced, and displaced fractures

Characteristics of Fractures

• Open (compound) fracture: break in the overlying skin, exposing the fracture to the outside environment
• Closed fracture: skin remains intact, not exposed
• Angulation: bone is misaligned, forming an angle between fractured fragments
• Non-displaced fracture: simple crack in the bone
• Displaced fracture: two bone ends are separated in at least one plane

Signs and Symptoms of Fractures

• Obvious deformity
• Shortening of the affected limb
• Swelling and bruising
• Discoloration
• Tenderness and pain, especially with guarding or crepitus (grating sensation)
• Locked joint, making it difficult and painful to move

Other Types of Injuries

• Dislocation: bone is totally displaced from the joint
• Subluxation: partial dislocation of a joint
• Sprains: stretched or torn ligaments
• Strains: injury to a muscle and tendon
• Achilles tendon rupture: usually occurs in athletes over 30 years old, involving sudden pain and inability to perform plantar flexion

Acute Management of Injuries

• RICE principle: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
• Pain control is essential
• Separation of a limb or body part from the remainder of the body (amputation) may occur
• Hemorrhage: severe bleeding from amputation

Assessment and Management of Injuries

• Primary survey: managing ABCs (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation), identifying life threats, and getting patient priority
• Secondary assessment: full body exam, identifying hidden injuries, and evaluating circulation, motor function, and abnormal sensations
• Six Ps of musculoskeletal assessment: Pain, Paralysis, Paresthesia, Pulselessness, Pallor, and Pressure
• Reassessment: repeating primary survey, maintaining ABCs, and stabilizing injuries

Splinting in Injuries

• Goals: immobilize the bone ends and adjacent joints, decrease pain and swelling, and prevent further injury
• Types of splints include:
  • Rigid splints
  • Traction splints (for mid-shaft femur fractures)
  • Pneumatic splints (for stabilizing lower leg or forearm fractures)
  • Formable splints (vacuum splints, pillow splints, Sam splints, sling and swath, and pelvic binder)

Transportation of Injured Patients

• Priority: patients with pulseless limbs or possible compartment syndrome
• Mode of transportation: helicopter or immediate ground transportation if treatment is 1 hour or more away