A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. When a fracture occurs, it is classified as either open or closed:
open fracture (Also called compound fracture.) - the bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
closed fracture (Also called simple fracture.) - the bone is broken, but the skin is intact.
Fractures have a variety of names. Below is a listing of the common types that may occur:
greenstick - incomplete fracture. The broken bone is not completely separated.
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transverse - the break is in a straight line across the bone.
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spiral - the break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.
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oblique - diagonal break across the bone.
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compression - the bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.
