The Various Types of Fractures – As part of the movement system, humans’ bones are basically strong and stiff tissues, and the functions are supporting the body. But if it’s exposed to external pressure that exceeds its strength, bones can break. This condition is what’s called fractures. The external pressure commonly happens when you fall, get into an accident, or other forms of injuries.
However, fractures can also be caused by certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis. Fracture severity levels depend on how strong the pressure that the bones get. Due to these strength differences, the types of fractures are varied, which are explained below.
Open Fracture
An open fracture is a fracture case accompanied by an injury to the skin on the surface of the broken bone area. In more severe cases, the broken bone is visible from the outside, meaning you can see it. This type of fracture rarely happens. If it does, an open fracture requires emergency treatment as the open wound may be exposed to bacteria, leading to an infection.
This condition may also cause one to experience bleeding. Therefore, if you or you notice someone having an open fracture, go to the hospital like BIMC Hospital Kuta as soon as possible. BIMC Hospital’s accident and Emergency Centre is open 24/7, allowing you to get an emergency response as soon as you arrive at the hospital.
Closed Fracture
The opposite of the open fracture, a closed fracture doesn’t cause any wound to the skin around the area of the broken bone. Even the skin is not torn due to the fracture. This condition makes a closed fracture more difficult to be identified compared to an open fracture. But if someone screams in pain when you touch a certain area, they seem to have a closed fracture.
Partial Fracture
The next type of fracture is a partial fracture, which is also known as an incomplete fracture. As the name suggests, a partial fracture happens when the bone doesn’t completely break or divide the bone into two or more parts, instead, only cracks. A partial fracture is divided into some types:
- Hairline fracture or stress fracture, it’s when the bone thinly cracks like hair.
- Greenstick fracture is when one side of the bone cracks and bends.
- Buckle fracture or torus fracture is when the broken bone doesn’t separate two sides of the bone. In this case, the side of the fractured bone will stick out.
Total Fracture
Total fracture or also called complete fracture, is the opposite of particle fracture. A total fracture is the condition when the bone breaks into two or more. It is divided into:
- Single fracture: a bone in one part of the body breaks into two.
- Comminuted fracture: the bone breaks into three or more parts.
- Compression fracture: the bone is crushed due to pressures.
- Displaced fracture: the bone is crushed into pieces and comes out of their original place.
- Non-displaced fracture: the bone is crushed into pieces but doesn’t come out of the original place.
- Segmental fracture: the bone is broken into two parts that are not related to each other. So, there is part of the bone that looks floating.
- Avulsion fracture: when the fracture happens near the ligament or tendon so that the ligament or tendon pulls the small broken bone away from the main bone.
Transversal Fracture
It is a type of fracture that is included in the total fracture. A transversal fracture happens when the bone is broken horizontally. The most common cause of this condition is a strong pressure or impact that is directly perpendicular to the bone.
Oblique Fracture
An oblique fracture happens when the bone breaks diagonally. This condition normally happens due to a pressure or blow from a certain angle, which is up or down. Just like transversal fracture, this type of fracture is also categorized as a total fracture. And it can be a displaced or nondisplaced oblique fracture.
Pathological Fracture
Different from previous types of fractures, a pathological fracture generally happens due to a certain medical condition that weakens the bones, such as osteoporosis. Individuals with osteoporosis have weaker and more fragile bones so that they are at a higher risk of getting a fracture than those with no bone weakening illnesses.
No matter the type of the fracture and how severe it is, you are extremely recommended to go to a hospital when having a bone fracture. It’s because this condition requires special medical treatment that should be performed by professionals. BIMC Hospital Kuta as a Trauma Centre in Bali is committed and dedicated to providing high quality healthcare services as well as prioritizing patients safety.
Their emergency room is fully equipped for any urgent medical situation and ready for 24/7. Go to BIMC KUTA official website for further information.
