A fracture is a medical term for a broken bone. There are twelve distinct types of fractures:
- Comminuted: This type of fracture has three or more bone fragments at the site of the injury (i.e. the bone has been broken in two or more places). This usually requires surgical attention involving the use of plates and/or screws.
- Depressed: Occurs mostly on the flat type of bones commonly found in the human skull. As a result, this type of fracture is often associated with head injuries.
- Greenstick: A greenstick fracture occurs when the bone does not separate entirely, and is still attached by a small bone fragment.
- Impacted: Occuring along the axis of a bone, this usually results from a fall of some sort. Often one part of the bone will telescope onto the other.
- Longitudinal: A longitudinal fracture occurs when the bone splits along its length, usually caused by jumping, or a similar activity where the forceexerted on the bone is going in a downward direction.
- Oblique: Caused by a twisting motion, an oblique fracture results in a curved separation.
- Spiral: Gives the appearance of a spiral, "S" shaped separation. Similar to an oblique fracture.
- Serrated: Caused by a direct blow to the bone, the break will have a jagged appearance. Often, these saw-toothed edges can cause damage to neighbouring vessels and nerves.
- Transverse: Occurs in a straight line. The opposite of a serrated fracture.
- Contrecoup: These fractures occur on the opposite side of the site on which the trauma was sustained. These are commonly seen with the skull and the mandible.
- Stress: These fractures occur spontaneously where there's a weakness in the bone, or as a result of the bone being put under excessive stress. Common in atheletes and overweight people.