What Are the Different Types of Fracture Classification?
In order to classify a fracture, also known as a broken bone, doctors will use four groupings of fracture classifications to best describe the break. There are two basic types of primary fracture classification, open and closed. The location of the fracture is defined according to the location of the bone in which it occurs, proximal, middle or distal. Within these two groups are an additional five subsets of fracture classification, transverse, spiral, oblique, comminuted and segmental. Finally, a fracture is described as either complete or incomplete, depending on the severity of the break.
In order to classify a fracture, also known as a broken bone, doctors will use four groupings of fracture classifications to best describe the break. There are two basic types of primary fracture classification, open and closed. The location of the fracture is defined according to the location of the bone in which it occurs, proximal, middle or distal. Within these two groups are an additional five subsets of fracture classification, transverse, spiral, oblique, comminuted and segmental. Finally, a fracture is described as either complete or incomplete, depending on the severity of the break. An open fracture classification is given when the bone has broken in a manner that causes it to protrude through the skin. A closed fracture occurs when the broken bone remains beneath the skin. Of the four classifications, this is the easiest to determine with simple visual inspection. This is also the first fracture classification that a doctor will use when defining the specific type of fractur
