Types of Fractures

Closed simple Fracture does not break skin

Comminuted Bone is splintered into fragments
Compression Caused by compressive force; common in lumbar vertebrae
Depressed Broken skull bone driven inward
Displaced Fracture produces fragments that become misaligned
Greenstick Fracture in which one side of bone is broken and other side is
bent
Impacted telescoped Bone is broken and wedged into another break
Incomplete Continuity of the bone has not been completely destroyed
Longitudinal Break runs parallel with the bone
Oblique Fracture line runs at a 45-degree angle across the longitudinal axis
Open compound Fracture breaks through skin (can be categorized into
grades 1–4 depending on severity)
Pathologic A disease process weakens bone structure so that a slight degree
of
trauma can cause fracture (most common in osteoporosis and cancers of the
bone)
Segmental Fracture in two places (also called double fracture)
Silver-fork Fracture of lower end of radius
Spiral Break coils around the bone; can be caused by a twisting force
Transverse Fracture breaks across the bone at a 90-degree angle along the
longitudinal axis

Types of Traction
Traction is a process in which a steady pull is placed on a part or parts of the
body. Traction can be used in reducing a fracture, maintaining a body
position, immobilizing a limb, overcoming a muscle spasm, stretching an
adhesion, and correcting deformities.
Countertraction A force that pulls against traction
Suspension traction A process to suspend a body part with use of frames,
splints, slings, ropes, pulleys, and weights
Skin traction A process of applying wide bands directly to the skin and
attaching weights to them; also called Buck’s and Russell’s
Buck’s traction A process of applying a straight pull on the affected
extremity; used for muscle spasms and to immobilize a limb
Russell’s traction Knee is suspended in a sling to which a rope is attached;
allows for some movement and permits flexion of the knee joint; often used
with a femur fracture
Skeletal traction A process in which traction is applied directly to the bone;
a wire or pin is inserted through the bone distal to the fracture
Bryant’s traction (Bryant’s extension) Traction applied to the lower leg
with the force pulling vertically; used especially in fractures of the femur in
infants and young children
Dunlop’s traction Used on children with certain fractures of the upper arm
when the arm must be kept in a flexed position to prevent problems with the
circulation and nerves around the elbow