Basic fracture description
A fracture should be described by:
- Bone and segment involved
- Open or closed
- Pattern: transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted
- Intra-articular or extra-articular
- Displacement, angulation and rotation
Fracture healing
Healing may be primary or secondary depending on stability and biology.
Factors affecting healing
- Stability
- Blood supply
- Soft tissue injury
- Infection
- Smoking and systemic factors
Complications
- Delayed union
- Non-union
- Malunion
- Infection
- Compartment syndrome
Diagram
