What Are the Different Types of Fractures and Their Treatment Options?

A fracture is a structural disruption in the continuity of a bone. The impact that causes it may be sudden or build over time, depending on factors like bone density, repetitive strain, or direct trauma. Fractures vary in presentation. Some are hidden beneath the skin surface. Some breach it entirely. While some shatter a bone into many fragments. Each fracture type demands a separate consideration, both in classification and clinical management. 

Types of Fractures 

Here are a few types of fractures you must know about: 

Closed (Simple) Fracture 

• The bone breaks without piercing the skin. It is often identified by swelling and deformity alone. 

Open (Compound) Fracture 

• The bone tears through skin tissue, and they are prone to infections. It requires surgical cleaning and fixation. 

Transverse Fracture 

• A horizontal break across the bone shaft is a transverse fracture. Direct blows or stress injuries often cause this fracture type. 

Oblique Fracture 

• The break has an angled line across the bone. Generally, it results from sharp angled forces. 

Spiral Fracture 

• Twisting injuries cause a helical break around the bone. Common in sports injuries or physical assault. 

Comminuted Fracture 

• The bone shatters into three or more fragments. Severe trauma, such as road accidents, causes this type of fracture. 

Greenstick Fracture 

• In children, bones bend and crack partially. The pliability of young bones leads to this fracture type. 

Compression Fracture 

• Bones are crushed. It is frequently seen in vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis. 

Impacted Fracture 

• One bone fragment is driven into another. Often occurs during falls, where force travels along the bone axis. 

The causes of fracture include direct trauma, falls, repetitive overuse, and conditions weakening bone integrity, such as osteoporosis or cancerous lesions. 

Symptoms of Fracture 

Signs and symptoms of fracture vary with location and severity. They include: 

• Localised pain that worsens with movement or pressure 
• Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the affected area 
• Visible deformity or unnatural limb position 
• Inability to bear weight or use the limb 
• Crepitus, which is a grinding sensation felt upon movement 
• Occasionally bone protrudes through the skin in open fractures 

How are Bone Fractures Diagnosed? 

Diagnosis integrates clinical examination with imaging. 

Physical Examination: 

• Assessment of swelling, deformity, neurovascular status, and skin integrity around the injury. 

X-ray Imaging: 

• Standard diagnostic tool to identify fracture type, location, and alignment. 

CT Scan or MRI: 

• In complex fractures, intra-articular injuries, or subtle stress fractures, advanced imaging clarifies the extent of damage. 

These tests are important for doctors to decide the direction of the treatment. For example, elderly patients with unexplained pain require scans even in the absence of major trauma to rule out fragility fractures. 

How are Bone Fractures Treated? 

Treatment varies according to fracture types, displacement, and complications of the fracture. Some common treatments for bone fractures are: 

Immobilisation: 

• Casting or splinting to maintain bone alignment during healing. It is suitable for stable, non-displaced fractures. 

Traction: 

• Applying a steady pulling force to align bone ends. It is not common but is used selectively in certain femur fractures. 

Surgical Intervention: 

• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) using plates, screws, or rods to stabilise displaced or open fractures. 

External Fixation: 

• Pins and rods placed outside the body hold bone fragments in place. Useful in complex, comminuted, or contaminated open fractures. 

Rehabilitation: 

• Physical therapy post-immobilisation to restore mobility, strength, and prevent joint stiffness or muscle wasting. 

Failure to treat fractures appropriately can lead to malunion, nonunion, infections, vascular compromise, or permanent disability. Early orthopaedic consultation prevents these complications. 

Conclusion 

Understanding the different types of fractures, recognising symptoms early, and seeking timely treatment reduces the risk of long-term complications. Management ranges from simple immobilisation to complex surgical reconstruction, depending on fracture type and severity.  

At Hinduja Hospital Mahim, orthopaedic specialists provide thorough evaluation, precision-led treatment, and structured rehabilitation plans tailored to each injury. Consult our experts for fracture care that restores strength and movement with clinical expertise. 

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) 

What is the most common type of fracture? 

The clavicle, or collarbone, sustains fractures more frequently than other bones. Its exposed location between the sternum and shoulder, combined with limited muscular cushioning, increases susceptibility. Falls onto an outstretched hand, direct blows during contact sports, and high-impact road accidents often result in clavicle fractures. 

How are fractures classified? 

Fractures are categorised by their characteristics. Classification considers: 

• Skin integrity: Open (compound) fractures pierce the skin. Closed (simple) fractures do not. 
• Bone alignment: Displaced fractures involve misaligned bone ends. Non-displaced fractures maintain alignment. 
• Fracture pattern: Transverse runs horizontally across the bone. Oblique fractures are angled. Spiral fractures twist around the bone. Comminuted fractures shatter the bone into multiple fragments.