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Types of Bone Fractures: There are several different types. A fracture is often the medical term for a broken bone. There are many different ways a bone can break – from trauma, to age, to previous medical conditions.

The type of bone fracture often determines how an injury took place and how long it will take to heal. Not all fractures are the same.

A Bone that breaks into pieces will heal slower than a bone the lines up well. A bone that breaks and cuts through the skin will have increased risk and will talk longer to heal.

Most bones, but not all, will heal within 6-12 weeks. Things that could affect bone healing is age, medical conditions, type of break, location of break and others.

Take a look at the Main Types of Fractures:

1.)  Simple Fracture

–  Also called a Closed fracture
–  Broken bone occurs, but bone doesn’t cut through skin layers (epidermis).

2.)  Compound Fracture

–  Also known as an Open Fracture
–  Broken bone occurs, and one or more pieces of the bone breaks through the skin layers.
–  Increased risk of infection
–  Treatment may include surgery.
–  Other complications such as blood loss, pain, nerve pain, and others can be seen

3.)  Oblique Fracture

–  The line of the fracture runs diagonal to the axis of your bone
–  Slant fractures
–  Force likely came in at a slant

4.)  Transverse Fracture

–  The line of the fracture runs perpendicular to the axis
–  Straight across fracture
–  Force likely came directly at bone.

5.)  Spiral Fracture

–  The line of the fracture twists around the bone.
–  Circular rotating fracture
–  Force likely from a twist or rotation

6.)  Comminuated Fracture

–  The line of the fracture is less obvious
–  This is because at site of fracture – several pieces or bone fragments are seen.
–  More complicated injury
–  Longer healing times is often seen.

7.)  Linear Fracture

–  The line of the fracture is parrallal to the bone.
–  Fracture seen within the bone.

8.)  Greenstick Fracture

–  Common fracture in children
–  Partial fracture on one side, where the other side is normal.
–  This typically heals quickly.
–  Bone of children is slightly structurally different than adults.

9.)   Impacted Fracture

–  Seen in closed fractures
–  When there is significant pressure on the bone
–  Bone splits into two fragments
–  Fragments will slide into each other

10.)  Complete and Incomplete Fracture

–  Complete = bone fragments completely
–  Incomplete = bone fragments partially avulse from each other

11.)  Compression Fracture

–  When two bones are forced against each other
–  One or both can suffer injury
–  Often seen in the spine

12.)  Avulsion Fracture

–  Fracture of bone with severe contraction of muscle
–  A piece of the bone is broken off
–  Often happens in ortho injuries

13.)  Stress Fracture

–  A bone that is minimally fracture
–  Also called hairline fracture
–  Can develop over time and is rarely one injury
–  Overuse injury

14.)  Displaced Fracture

–  When a bone breaks in two or more pieces
–  The pieces no longer allow for good bone alignment
–  Can be measure in degrees

15.)  Non-displaced Fracture

–  Bone breaks in two pieces
–  But the alignment of the bone remains
–  Opposite from displaced fracture

16.)  Fatigue Fracture

–  Typical fracture where weakness is observed
–  Takes weeks to months for weakness to occur
–  The resulting fracture isn’t caused by trauma but rather, every day activities

17.)  Pathological Fracture

–  A fracture of the bone due to underlying medical conditions
–  Osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and other medical conditions.