greenstick | | Break is straight across the bone. |
compression | | Break occurs only through portion or cross section of bone. |
incomplete | | Bone fragment is driven into another bone fragment. |
transverse | | Compound/complex. Fracture goes through the mucous membrane or skin. |
depressed | | Break is across the entire cross section of bone. |
open | | Bone splintered into several fragments. |
Avulsion | | Fragment of the bone pulled away from the ligament or tendon. |
spiral | | Occurs through an area of diseased bone. |
comminuted | | Fracture through the epiphysis of the bone. |
complete | | Frequent with facial bones. |
oblique | | Simple, no break in skin. |
Epiphyseal | | Twisting around the shaft of the bone. |
closed | | Break occurs at an angle across the bone. |
pathologic | | One side of the bone is broken and the other side is bent. |
impacted | | Bone has been compressed. Frequent in the spine. |