What are the 7 types of fractures?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 13, 2026
The Different Types of Bone Fractures
- Transverse fracture. A transverse fracture occurs when a bone breaks at a 90-degree angle to the long axis of the bone. ...
- Oblique fracture. ...
- Comminuted fracture. ...
- Greenstick fracture. ...
- Stress fracture. ...
- Pathologic fracture.
What are the 10 types of fractures?
10 Types of Bone Fractures
- Avulsion. An avulsion fracture occurs when a connective tendon or ligament pulls a part of bone off, separating it from the rest of the bone.
- Comminuted. ...
- Compression. ...
- Greenstick. ...
- Impacted. ...
- Oblique. ...
- Pathological. ...
- Spiral.
What are the 12 types of fractures?
Different types of bone fractures can be open, closed, stable, displaced, partial, or complete.
- Transverse Fracture. Transverse fractures are breaks that are in a straight line across the bone. ...
- Spiral Fracture. ...
- Greenstick Fracture. ...
- Stress Fracture. ...
- Compression Fracture. ...
- Oblique Fracture. ...
- Impacted Fracture. ...
- Segmental Fracture.
What are the 6 major fracture types?
Types of Fractures
- Stable fracture. The broken ends of the bone line up and are barely out of place.
- Open (compound) fracture. The skin may be pierced by the bone or by a blow that breaks the skin at the time of the fracture. ...
- Transverse fracture. ...
- Oblique fracture. ...
- Comminuted fracture.
What are the 3 main types of fractures?
In this article we look at the three primary types of fractures: open, closed, and displaced fractures.
- Open Fracture. When a broken bone breaks through the skin, it is classified as an open fracture. ...
- Closed Fracture. ...
- Displaced Fracture. ...
- Subcategories.
What are the 5 different types of fractures?
Here are five common types of fractures:
- Open (compound) fracture. This type of fracture usually results from severe trauma, causing your broken bone to pierce the skin. ...
- Stress fracture. ...
- Comminuted fracture. ...
- Greenstick fracture. ...
- Compression fracture.
What are the 4 types of bone fractures?
Although there are many types of bone fractures, there are four main categories a fracture usually falls under: displaced, non-displaced, open and closed.
What is linear fracture?
In a linear fracture, there is a break in the bone, but it does not move the bone. These patients may be observed in the hospital for a brief amount of time, and can usually resume normal activities in a few days.
What are the 3 most common causes of fractures?
Fractures range from small partial cracks to complete breaks and can occur in any bone. Physical trauma, overuse, and conditions such as osteoporosis are the most common causes of fractures.
What is epiphyseal fracture?
Growth plate fractures are classified based on which parts of the bone are damaged, in addition to the growth plate. Areas of the bone immediately above and below the growth plate may fracture. They are called the epiphysis (the tip of the bone) and metaphysis (the “neck” of the bone).
What are the 8 types of bone fracture?
The Different Types of Bone Fractures
- Transverse fracture. A transverse fracture occurs when a bone breaks at a 90-degree angle to the long axis of the bone. ...
- Oblique fracture. ...
- Comminuted fracture. ...
- Greenstick fracture. ...
- Stress fracture. ...
- Pathologic fracture.
What is Greenstick fracture?
A greenstick fracture occurs when a bone bends and cracks, instead of breaking completely into separate pieces. The fracture looks similar to what happens when you try to break a small, "green" branch on a tree.
What are the types of fracture?
Closed or open fractures: If the injury doesn't break open the skin, it's called a closed fracture. If the skin does open, it's called an open fracture or compound fracture. Complete fractures: The break goes completely through the bone, separating it in two. Displaced fractures: A gap forms where the bone breaks.
What types of fractures require surgery?
Fractures that require surgery
For example, an open or comminuted fracture will require surgery to ensure that the bone fully grows back together and safely supports your weight. Surgical repair entails using metal rods, screws, or plates to set the bone in place or align it while it heals. Have you fractured a bone?
What's the difference between a broken bone and a fractured bone?
You may have heard people talk about bone fractures and broken bones. The terms are actually interchangeable and both refer to a bone that has been shattered, often by excessive force. Your doctor may be more likely to use the term fracture. To be frank, the term fracture is more “professional” sounding.
Which types of fractures are most difficult to repair?
Example: A comminuted fracture is the most difficult to repair due to the bone having fractured into numerous pieces. Multiple bone pieces require more effort to hold them together in the ideal position for healing.
Which medicine is best for bone fracture?
Generic and Trade Names of Drugs for Treatment of Fracture
- Abaloparatide. Abaloparatide is prescribed to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk for fracture.
- Aspirin and Oxycodone. Aspirin and Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
- Metamizole.
What is a transverse fracture?
A transverse fracture is when the fracture line is perpendicular to the shaft (long part) of the bone. An oblique fracture is when the break is on an angle through the bone. A pathologic fracture is caused by a disease that weakens the bone.
What is oblique nondisplaced fracture?
An oblique fracture occurs when the bone breaks at an angle. It tends to occur most often on long bones, such as the femur or tibia. This type of injury causes a visible deformity beneath the skin. Treatment for an Oblique Fracture: Treatment varies depending on the severity of the injury.
What is a nondepressed fracture?
Nondisplaced fractures are often closed and do not move out of alignment. They are sometimes referred to as incomplete fractures because the bone cracks but does not break all the way through.
What are the most common fractures?
7 Most Common Bone Fractures
- Collarbone Fracture. The collarbone, or clavicle, is one of the most frequently broken bones. ...
- Wrist Fracture. If you fall, you're likely to catch yourself by putting out your hands. ...
- Ankle Fracture. ...
- Vertebral Fracture. ...
- Hip Fracture. ...
- Forearm Fracture. ...
- Shinbone Fracture.
What is the most painful type of fracture?
Leg bones are usually some of the strongest in the body and it takes a big impact such as a serious fall or a car accident for them to break. A fracture that occurs lower down the femur is classed as a broken leg rather than hip and is one of the most painful breaks to experience.
What type of bone break hurts the most?
Here's a look at some of the bones that hurt the most to break:
- 1) Femur. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. ...
- 2) Tailbone. You could probably imagine that this injury is highly painful. ...
- 3) Ribs. Breaking your ribs can be terribly distressing and quite painful. ...
- 4) Clavicle.
How does a Pott's fracture occur?
The injury is caused by a combined abduction external rotation from an eversion force. This action strains the sturdy medial (deltoid) ligament of the ankle, often tearing off the medial malleolus due to its strong attachment.
What is impacted fracture?
An impacted fracture refers to a fracture in which bone fragments have been driven into each other. A compression fracture is similar to an impaction fracture, but the term is applied to describe a fracture in which cancellous bone collapses and compresses upon itself.