Classification of Fractures

Overview

There is actually a broad classification of fractures if we will talk about all fractures that can happen to the bones in our bodies. This is why even up to this day, some doctors still debate on how to classify fractures according to the injury and the treatment that must be used. What came out of their classification led to the categorization of the injuries and their treatments so in the end, some doctors classified bones into Class A, Class B and Class C.

This classification is still broad in nature but at least there could be a direct classification of fractures with a definite system of diagnosis and treatment. Class A classification fractures are those that are within stringent clinical criteria. Within this classification are more systems of fracture classification because there are many arbitrary codifications of the types of fracture and their anatomical sites. Class B and Class C are the latest types of fractures that are beginning to be common maybe because of the change of lifestyle of most of the people in the society. Examples of the causes of these categories are sports related accidents, vehicular accidents, falls from heights and so on.

Types or General and Specific Classifications of Fractures

In order to simplify classification of fractures, we have them categorized according to their condition so generally speaking, these are how they are classified in simple terms:

• Open fracture. This type of fracture has really broken bones that they protrude from the skin and create an open wound. This is a serious form of bone fracture because the bone can also be infected which entails more complications.
• Closed simple fractures. There can be severe bone fractures or simple fractures inside the skin but the skin remains unbroken.
• Compression fractures. These are also known as injury to the spine or vertebrae. Accidents such as falling from heights, vehicular accidents, and osteoporosis are the common causes.

To be definite with these three broad classifications of fractures, we can specifically identify fractures as the following:

• Incomplete fractures. The bones are fractured but still in their normal position.
• Complete fractures. There is a displacement of the fractured bone.
• Transverse fracture. This fracture happens at the right angle to the bone’s shaft.
• Linear fracture. The fracture is along the bone’s length.
• Oblique fracture. The fracture is diagonally along the bone’s length.
• Compacted fracture. Due to crushing accidents, the bones are driven and impacted on each other.
• Spiral fractures. These are twisted bone fractures wherein the body or the limb is twisted suddenly, which breaks the bone.
• Holstein-Lewis fracture. This occurred at the distal third of the upper arm bone and the radial nerve has been compressed.

Fracture Diagnosis

All bone fractures must be diagnosed by the doctors for proper treatment. If the patient is conscious, he or she will be asked how and when the accident occurred. This is to assume the severity and age of the fracture. Physical examination is also a standard procedure and doctor will look for physical symptoms that can be manifested if there is really a fractured bone. X-rays are ordinary procedures even there is pain or not with the injury. If the X-ray is unclear or if the doctor suspects there could be damage with the tendons, tissues, nerves and ligaments, a CT scan or an MRI will be included in the diagnosis. These two machines can produce 3 dimensional clear images of the bones and everything around it.

Fracture Causes

Bone fractures common causes include:

• Strong traumatic blows that directly or indirectly have an impact to the body
• Falls from high impact sports
• Falls from heights
• Overstressed arms, hands and legs
• Vehicular accidents
• Osteoporosis, bone cancer, or tumor near the bones

Symptoms

Different fractures can manifest different symptoms depending on the location of the fracture. However, the most common symptoms are:

• Malformed limb or joint
• Swelling, bruising or possibly bleeding especially when there is an open fracture
• Extreme pain on the injured part
• Tingling sensation or numbness on the lower part of the fractured area.
• The fractured limb cannot be moved or can be moved but accompanied with so much pain
• When fractures are on the limb, the person cannot even stand or walk.

Bone Fracture Treatment

When treating fractures, management of pain is always included because all fractures are accompanied by pain. However, there are general procedures for all bone fractures, these are the casting, internal fixation, external fixation, and the final treatment is rehabilitation. Casting is when broken bones in the limb are manipulated through traction or pulling of the bony part to set the bones straight and then the limb is put on cast in plaster or fiberglass to immobilize the bone.
Internal fixation involves surgical procedure to fix fragmented bones and small metals are used to set the bones to their original position. External fixation is when the bones are displaced in several pieces and so there is internal fixation and the use of bars or rings outside the skin so that the bones are immobilized.

Rehabilitation of fractures is also part of the regimen in the treatment of bone fractures because once the bones are healed they can become stiffer. The muscles and tendons are also reconditioned so that the normal strength of the injured part will return and that part could be again functional.

Prevention

Most injuries come from accidents, falls, traumas, and any other activities that were not expected to happen. However, people should know the risk once they involve themselves with risky actions. Thus, it is only logical that they must wear protective gears such as padding, gloves, and helmet and body pads whenever they join or do highly active sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, biking, skating and so on. For people who stay at home or in the office, they must make their environment clutter-free and make their surroundings tidy. A cluttered floor is the common cause of falls on these places. Children must also be warned of the consequences of the things they do once they started to become active.

When to Call a Doctor

Symptoms of fractures are indicators that you should seek medical help if you or your companion encountered an accident. Bones are rather fragile and they can easily break once hard blows or trauma instantly comes to the body of the person.
However, some classification of fractures does not show manifestations quickly especially the hairline and stress fractures but the person will feel there is something wrong with his or her bones. Visiting the doctor is one way of preventing further injury to the bones.