Comminuted, Simple, and Compound

FracturesPresentation created by Brooke Markward

Fractures

Fractures commonly occur when a person has fallen, an object has been dropped on them, or the bone has been twisted.

Comminuted Fracture

A comminuted fracture is defined as a bone that has been shattered, splintered, or crushed into more than two pieces.

Comminuted Fracture

This fracture occurs when there has been some kind of crushing force on the bone and can happen anywhere along the bone.

It mostly occurs in elderly people or people who already have a bone weakening condition.

Symptoms

The symptoms will be similar in all fractures.

Obviously there will be a lot of pain where the injury occurred leading the person to possibly pass out.

The area of the injury will probably swell and become warm.

Diagnosis

Fractures are most easily diagnosed by an x-ray.

An x-ray helps the doctor figure out how the pieces in a comminuted fracture are arranged so they can treat it properly.

Treatment

Often, the best way to treat a comminuted fracture may be to pin the pieces during surgery so they can form back together.

It may also be treated with a cast but sometimes that is not enough.

Either way, the fracture needs to be immobilized.

Simple Fracture

A simple fracture, also called a closed fracture, is any type of fracture that has broken into two pieces, and has not broken through the skin.

Simple Fracture

This fracture can be transverse (straight across), oblique (at an angle), or spiral (the bone has been twisted).

Symptoms and Diagnosis

As stated previously, the symptoms and diagnosis will be similar for all fractures.

An x-ray will best help figure out what kind of fracture it is.

Treatment

Like the comminuted fracture, simple fractures need to be immobilized with a cast or pins, screws, and plates.

Compound Fracture

A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, occurs when the skin has been broken through.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The compound fracture is easy to diagnose because it is visible to the naked eye.

The break in the skin causes an additional complication. Immediate surgery is often required because of the risk of infection in the skin and bone.

Again, the bone will need to be immobilized, either with pins and plates, or external splints