Overview of Bone Fractures

Summary:

This presentation by Dr. Ndayisaba Corneille, the CEO of CHG, provides a comprehensive overview of fractures, dislocations, and subluxations.

He defines a fracture as a break in the continuity of a bone or cartilage, with common causes including falls, car accidents, direct blows, repetitive forces, and pathological conditions. Symptoms of a fracture include swelling, pain, numbness, bleeding, broken skin with bone protruding, and limitation or unwillingness to move a limb.

Dr. Corneille then outlines the different types of fractures. These include closed and open fractures, traumatic, stress, and birth fractures, as well as fractures caused by pathological lesions such as localized or generalized disorders. Fractures can be classified further according to the path of the fracture line, such as transverse, oblique, spiral, and longitudinal fractures.

Anatomically, fractures can be comminuted, stellate, impacted, avulsed, or result in a depressed fracture. He also presents the concepts of greenstick fractures and distraction, common in young children’s bones.

In terms of fracture management, Dr. Corneille emphasizes the importance of efficient first aid, safe transport, assessment of the patient’s condition, resuscitation if needed, radiography, reduction of the fracture, immobilization, early physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. He explains that fractures generally heal completely in approximately 6 – 8 weeks and that the healing process involves a series of phases, including an inflammatory phase, a reparative phase, and a remodelling phase.

Complications that can occur during or after a fracture include hemorrhage, damage to internal structures, tissue necrosis, infection, loss of alignment, delayed malunion, joint stiffness, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and osteoarthritis.

Excerpt:

Overview of Bone Fractures

Learning Objectives:

 Define the term fracture, dislocation and Subluxation
 Identify the general causes, signs, and symptoms of fractures
 Classify the different types of fractures
 Discuss the general principles of the management of fractures
 Describe the role of radiography in the management of fractures
 Explain the process of fracture healing
 State the local and general complications of fractures