Fracture, spiral


Fracture, spiral: A fracture, sometimes called a torsion fracture, in which a bone has been twisted apart.

A fracture is any break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or abnormal formation of bone in a congenital disease of bone such as osteogenesis imperfecta (“brittle bone disease”).

Fractures are classified by their character and location. Examples of classification include “spiral fracture of the femur,” “greenstick fracture of the radius,” “impacted fracture of the humerus,” “linear fracture of the ulna,” “oblique fracture of the metatarsal,” “compression fracture of the vertebrae,” and “depressed fracture of the skull.” A “comminuted fracture” is a fracture in which bone is broken into a number of pieces, as distinguished from a “compound fracture” in which the bone sticks through the skin.

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  • Fracture, stress

    Fracture, stress: A fracture caused by repetitive stress, as may occur in sports, strenuous exercise, or heavy physical labor. Stress fractures are especially common in the metatarsal bones of the foot, particularly in runners. Osteoporosis increases the possibility of stress fractures. Treatment includes rest, disuse, and sometimes splinting or casting to prevent reinjury during healing.

  • Fracture, toddler's

    Fracture, toddler’s: A torsion fracture of the tibia that occurs without bone displacement. This fracture is called toddler’s fracture because it occurs in infants who are early on in their walking, causing a stress breakage of bone in the large bone of the leg below the knee.

  • Fracture, torsion

    Fracture, torsion: A fracture, also called a spiral fracture, in which a bone has been twisted apart. A fracture is any break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or abnormal formation of bone in a congenital […]

  • Fracture, torus

    Fracture, torus: A fracture in which one side of a bone bends but does not actually break. Torus fractures normally heal on their own within a month, with rest and disuse. Also known as incomplete fracture or buckle fracture.

  • Fracture, transverse

    Fracture, transverse: A fracture in which the break is across a bone, at a right angle to the long axis of the bone.


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