Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part I General principles
- 1.1 Terminology in orthopaedic trauma
- 1.2 Fractures: general aspects
- 1.3 Advanced trauma life support and multiple trauma
- 1.4 Fracture healing
- 1.5 Open fractures
- 1.6 Periprosthetic fractures
- 1.7 Peripheral nerve injuries
- Part II Upper limb
- Part III Lower limb
- Part IV Spinal injuries
- Index
1.2 - Fractures: general aspects
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part I General principles
- 1.1 Terminology in orthopaedic trauma
- 1.2 Fractures: general aspects
- 1.3 Advanced trauma life support and multiple trauma
- 1.4 Fracture healing
- 1.5 Open fractures
- 1.6 Periprosthetic fractures
- 1.7 Peripheral nerve injuries
- Part II Upper limb
- Part III Lower limb
- Part IV Spinal injuries
- Index
Summary
A fracture is a break in the continuity of the cortex of the bone. It represents failure of the bone to respond to a high impact, which can be direct or indirect. Associated injuries to the adjacent soft tissues (e.g. ligaments, tendons, etc.) are not uncommon.
Mechanism of injury
Although most fractures occur due to direct or indirect trauma, other mechanisms may be responsible in some special situations.
Direct injuries
In these injuries, the forces are concentrated at one site and, therefore, the bone fails at the point of impact. Fractures occurring due to direct mechanisms are often comminuted and may be associated with significant soft tissue injuries. A typical example is a comminuted tibial fracture sustained by a pedestrian due to direct impact from a speeding car.
Indirect mechanisms
The force causing the fracture is applied at a distance in indirect mechanisms and therefore, associated damage to soft tissues may not be much. An intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck is a typical example of an injury with indirect mechanism. An olecranon fracture caused due to a sudden contraction of the triceps during a fall is another example of an injury from indirect forces.
Pathological fractures
Such fractures occur with trivial trauma to the bones that are already weakened by a disease process such as malignancy or infection. Pathological fractures occurring due to secondary malignant deposits in the hip often involve the subtrochanteric region. The patient may give a history of local pain or discomfort prior to fracture.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Classification and Diagnosis in Orthopaedic Trauma , pp. 5 - 14Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008