13 Types of Fracture and Treatment Options

What is a fracture?

A fracture occurs when a bone is subjected to forces stronger than it can handle. This injury can affect any bone in the body, from the hands, upper body, legs, and knee.

This injury can be classified as a closed fracture, where the bone remains beneath the skin, or an open fracture, where bone fragments break through the skin. 

Although this condition is not life-threatening, it is painful and can interfere with daily activities. Swift medical treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of complications and ensure proper healing.

Bone fractures causes

The primary cause of this condition is physical trauma, such as:

• Traffic accidents

• Falling

• Sports injury 

Additionally, there are a few factors that can increase the risks of injuries, including:

• Overuse or repetitive movements that place stress on the bone during physical activity.

• Health conditions that weaken the bone, such as metabolic diseases, nutrient deficiencies, osteoporosis, cancers, and bone infection.

• Natural ageing process that can weaken the bone.

13 Fracture types

This condition can result from physical trauma as well as factors such as ageing or pre-existing medical conditions that lead to various types of fractures. Below are the 13 types of fracture classifications based on the primary causes of these injuries:

Single straight-line pattern

• Transverse fracture: 

  • This type of injury breaks straight across the bone, similar to breaking a wood stick horizontally.

• Oblique fractures: 

  • These injuries occur when there's an external pressure at an angle relative to the bone, which results in a diagonal break across the bone.

• Longitudinal fractures: 

  • This condition breaks along the length of the bone instead of across it.

Complex fracture

• Comminuted fractures: 

  • In this type of injury, the bones are fragmented into multiple pieces at three or more locations.

• Segmental fractures: 

  • This injury occurs when the same bone is broken in two places, creating a separate "floating" piece between the breaks.

• Spiral fractures: 

  • This type of fracture occurs when the bone breaks due to a twisting motion, resulting in a spiral line encircling the bone similar to a corkscrew.

Ageing or existing medical conditions

• Compression fractures: 

  • This type of injury usually affects the spine, where the vertebrae become weak and collapse due to diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Stress fractures: 

  • Also known as hairline fractures, this injury is caused by repeated stress and strain on the bone. Which can appear as thin cracks in the bone and may cause mild pain that worsens with activity.

• Greenstick fractures: 

  • This condition usually occurs in children younger than 10 years old because their bones are more flexible and prone to bending on one side, similar to how a young tree branch can flex.

•  Pathological fractures: 

  • This injury occurs when an underlying medical condition weakens the bone, causing it to break.

Joint-related fractures

•  Intraarticular fractures: 

  • These injuries happen when a fracture extends into a joint surface, potentially damaging the cartilage and hindering joint movement.

•  Avulsion fractures: 

  • This condition happens when a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away.

•  Fracture dislocations: 

  • This condition occurs when a joint becomes dislocated, causing the surrounding bones to break.

Common fracture symptoms

The symptoms of a fracture may vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. But in general, there are several common symptoms that you should watch out for, including:

• Severe pain

• Swelling and bruising around the injured area

• Skin bruises or tenderness

• Deformity in the injured area

• Inability to move the injured area and nearby joints

• Bleeding

If you suspect that you may have a bone fracture due to an injury or other factors, it is important to consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Timely medical intervention can help reduce pain and facilitate proper healing.

To support your recovery, book an appointment with Thomson Medical, where our specialists are prepared to provide an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan.

Fracture diagnosis

To diagnose your condition, the healthcare provider will begin by discussing your symptoms and how the injury happened. They may then review  your medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess the severity of the injury.

To get a better diagnosis, healthcare providers can perform imaging tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT (computed tomography) scans to determine the type of fractures and where they are located within the bone.

Treatment for fracture

Treatment for this injury depends on factors such as the type, location, and severity of the  condition. Mild fractures, like injuries to fingers or non-displaced fractures (the gap between broken bones isn’t too far), can be treated with conservative treatment.

However, more severe cases may require surgical intervention. For example, major traumatic injuries or displaced fractures, where the gap between the broken bone is too large, usually need a surgical procedure.

Conservative treatment

This type of treatment is reserved for minor and closed fractures to set the broken bones in the proper place and hold them to heal properly.

• Immobilisation:

  • For some types of fracture, braces may be used to allow some limited movement of the joints near the injured area.

  • A cast made of plaster or fibreglass can be used to hold broken bones in proper position after the repositioning procedure. 

• Pain management:

  • Healthcare professionals may prescribe medication such as naproxen to relieve pain and swelling. 

  • For severe injuries, such as open fracture, antibiotics can prescribed to prevent and treat potential infections

• Rehabilitation:

  • Physical therapy helps prevent joint stiffness, maintain muscle strength, and support recovery.

Surgical treatment

For more severe conditions, surgical procedures may be necessary.

• External fixation

  • This device is used to stabilise or align the broken bone when the skin and soft tissues around the injury are severely damaged until further treatment can be performed.

• Internal fixation

  • This treatment is used to reposition the broken bones into their normal position. The bones are then secured together using specialised screws or metal plates affixed to the outer surface.

  • Sometimes, additional rods are inserted through the centre of the bone for additional support. 

• Arthroplasty:

  • To address fractures that affect joints, an arthroplasty procedure may be required. During this procedure, the injured joint is removed and replaced with an implant.

• Bone grafting:

  • If a fracture does not heal properly, a surgeon may perform a bone graft. This involves transplanting either natural or synthetic bone to stimulate healing in the injured area.

Recovery

The recovery time for a fracture depends based on factors such as the location and severity of the fracture, as well as the overall health and condition of the individual.

Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months for the bone to heal, but there’s a few things you can do to support your bone healing process, such as:

• Taking prescribed medication.

• Maintain a healthy diet by taking balanced and nutritious foods.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

• Participate in physical therapy to avoid the joint stiffness and arthritis at the joint near the fracture sites.

Preventing fractures

Although accidents can happen unexpectedly and ageing is a part of life, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of fractures, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.

These health tips focus on maintaining bone strength and creating safer environments for daily activities.

• Eat healthy food that is rich in calcium and vitamin D to keep the bones strong.

• Do a combination of light exercise like walking, resistance exercise, and flexibility exercises, such as yoga.

• Consider bone density testing if you're over 50 or have a family history of osteoporosis.

• Keep your home and workplace free from clutter that can cause you to accidentally trip.

• Install safety equipment in slippery places, such as handrails in bathrooms.

• Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach tall places; avoid standing on chairs or tables.

• Always wear seatbelts while using the car.

• Use appropriate protective gear during sports and physical activities.

• Avoid smoking, as nicotine increases the risk of bone fractures by weakening it and interfering with the healing process.

• Be cautious when walking on wet or uneven surfaces.

Complications

While bones often heal properly with proper care, complications may still occur, including:

• Improper bone healing:

  • Sometimes, a fracture may heal improperly, resulting in misaligned bones. This can happen if there is a shift in the bone position during the healing process.

• Stunted growth:

  • Fractures occurring near growth plates during childhood can hinder bone development and increase the risk of future deformities.

• Severe bleeding:

  • Although rare, severe fractures, such as open injuries, can result in bleeding that may lead to life-threatening conditions like shock.

• Pulmonary embolism:

  • This complication occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, breaks off and travels to a lung. This condition can block an artery, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.

• Infection: 

  • Compound fractures (open injuries) expose the bone directly to the environment and can cause bacteria to enter and cause infection. 

• Bone death (avascular necrosis): 

  • Fractures can disrupt the blood supply to the bone, leading to a deficiency in nutrients and oxygen, which can cause the bone tissue to die.

FAQ

How long does it take for a fracture to heal?

Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months for a fractured bone to heal completely. However, the exact healing time depends on several factors, including:

• The location and severity of the injury

• Your overall health condition and age

• Your compliance with the doctor's treatment recommendations

What are the 7 types of fractures?

Here are seven types of fractures that can occur, such as:

• Transverse fractures (straight across the bone)

• Oblique fractures (diagonal break)

• Spiral fractures (twisted break around the bone)

• Comminuted fractures (bone breaks into multiple pieces)

• Compression fractures (affecting spine bones)

• Stress fractures (thin cracks from repeated strain)

• Greenstick fractures (incomplete breaks, common in children)

What are 3 signs of a fracture?

The three most common signs of a fracture are:

• Severe pain in the injured area

• Swelling and bruising around the injury

• Inability to move the injured area and nearby joints

Is a fracture a break or a crack?

Yes. A fracture refers to a break or crack in a bone that occurs when an external force to the bone exceeds its capacity to withstand pressure.

Can you fracture a bone and not know it?

Yes, it is possible to become fractured without immediately realising it, particularly with stress or hairline fractures. These fractures often show subtle symptoms compared to more severe breaks, including mild pain or discomfort that feels similar to a muscle strain.

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical today.