Impacted Fractures

Structure of the break: In this type of fracture the bone shatters into a number of pieces that are driven into one another at the point of the break. Fragments of bone may surround the site of the break and the two ends are compacted together, possibly forming a bulge in the bone.

Diagnosis: The fractures are often very noticeable due to the nature in which they present. The fracture can be diagnosed by X-ray, along with taking in to account how the injury occurred.

Cause:  These fractures are usually caused by similar impacts to those that cause Torus/Buckle fractures in children. The impact along the axis of the bone (often from a fall broken by the limb in question) causes its impaction and fracture.

Treatment:  This type of fracture almost always requires surgery as the bone must be de-compacted and sometime re-assembled. The bone must then be supported/immobilised, more often that not with the use of pins and traction equipment.

Fig.1

(Hover over for description)

Types of Fractures: Transverse / Oblique / Spiral / Logitudinal / Green Stick / Comminuted / Torus/Buckle / Impacted / Hairline / Compression/Crush / Avulsion

Fig.1 – Courtesy of Magnus Manske, Wikipedia