1. Fractures: Comminuted, Compound, and Transverse Biology 120 WW2 Linda Khauv

2. Fractures Fractures are injuries to the bone that causes it to chip or break. Fractures usually occur when there is physical force to the bones is stronger than the bone itself. Many physical or unfortunate events can cause fractured bones and its severity. There are many different type of fractures that ranges from tiny cracks to fully broken: Comminuted Greenstick Compound Simple Impacted Transverse Oblique Spiral When there may be a case of a fractured bone, doctors order X-Rays to view the severity and location of any suspected fractures. They would also then be able to analyze and determine the best treatment for it.

4. Comminuted Fractures Comminuted Fractures is a fracture in which bone is broken, shattered, splintered or crushed into many pieces or fragments. It is also known as multi-fragmentary fractures. It goes throughout the bone with at least three different fractured parts along any length of the bone. It usually occurs in elderly people, people with weak bones, or from tremendous force to the bone. They may experience much pain, the area will get very swollen, and the person may even pass out at the event and time of occurrence because the pain is unbearable. One possible way to repair a communited fracture is to have surgery and pin the pieces of the broken bone together and allow it to heal and join together.

5. Fracture Video Below is a link of an animated Comminuted Fracture taken from the Medical Legal Art with no sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw0oXQ-gZWM

6. An example of a Comminuted Fracture

7. Compound Fractures A Compound Fracture is also known as an open fracture. It is a when the broken bone is fractured that it pierces through the skin. The bone can be completely visible or it can be an open wound through the skin with fractured bones in the inside. Compound fractures are more prone to infections because of the open wounds. Anybody with a compound fracture must seek immediate attention and surgery to repair the bone and close the wound in order to avoid high risks of infections. If coming across a compound fracture while seeking medical attention, a way to prevent high infections is to cover the wound with a sterile gauze with light pressure to prevent any further fractures. The time it takes compound fractures to heals is a minimum of 2 months depending on its severity. Surgeons have to screws or plates in order to stabilize the bone and give the patient antibiotics to avoid infections.

8. An example of a Compound Fracture

9. Transverse Fracture Transverse Fracture is a completely broken bone that goes straight across the bone at right angles to the long axis separating it into two pieces. It may not be aligned completely and may need to be reduced. It can be either an open or closed fracture. If it is an opened fracture, surgeons need to put the bone back together and stabilize it with pins, plates, and screws. If it is a closed fracture, the patient would need anesthesia to replace the bone from the exterior position but may risk damages to the nerve. A cast is needed for the time of healing to immobilize it and it may take several months for the fracture to heal.

10. An example of a Transverse Fracture.

11. Risks and Healing Risks of Fractures: Damage to blood vessels Damage to the nerves Infections of the bone Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone) Non- Union (the bone does not heal after a few months) Due to inadequate blood flow or stabilization infections Infections of tissue Compartment syndrome (blood supply to muscles are cut off) Vascular necrosis or osteonecrosis (dead bone tissue due to lack of blood supply) Heal process of Fractures: Surgery Implanting pins, plates, and needles. Cast Antibiotics Therapy Depending on the severity it may take a few weeks to many months for a fracture to heal

12. Pins, Screws and Plate fixtures

13. Resources Bone. 2007 George Cierny III, M.D. <http://www.osteomyelitis.com/html/traumainfection.html#infected> Ellis-Christensen, Trisha. What is a Compound Fracture. 03 Aug 2010 <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-compound-fracture.htm> Ellis-Christensen, Trisha. What is a Transverse Fracture. 08 Sept 2010. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-transverse-fracture.htm Fremgen, Bonnie F. & Frucht, Suzanne S. Medical Terminology: A Living Language. 4th edition. Prentice Hall Publishing,2009. Page 603. Smith, S.E. What is a Comminuted Fracture. 08 Sept 2010 < http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-comminuted-fracture.htm>

14. Resources: Photo Resource: health.allrefer.com mayoclinic.com mymerck.com taycoleahcf.blogspot.com ispub.com eorthopod.com teachengineering.org Video Resource: Comminuted Fracture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw0oXQ-gZWM