Describing Fractures
Open/Closed Open or compound fractures are exposed to the environment and therefore more likely to become infected and lead to complications. Because of this open fractures are often managed differently. Open fractures can be categorised by the gustilo classification depending on the extent of damage to the surrounding tissues: I - Low energy with wound less than 1cm. II - greater than 1 cm with moderate soft tissue damage. III - Wound greater than 1 cm with severe soft tissue damage Where - Bone and part of bone Describe which bone and where on the bone the fracture is, long bones are usually divided into distal (away from body), middle and proximal(closer to body)3rds of the bone,or can be described as a mishaft fracture if the fracture is in the middle. Other bones have particular landmarks which are more prone to fractures or relevant to management. For example, hip fractures can be described as intracapsular or extracapsular fractures.