Page 155 - ASOP ROT Study Guide
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Spiral fractures occur through twisting, which is a common, low energy mode of injury. Such
injuries are usually associated with little soft tissue damage, so the blood supply to the bone is
preserved and healing is unlikely to be a problem.
In contrast, oblique and transverse fractures are caused by buckling or direct injury to the bone.
This involves a lot of energy, resulting in soft tissue stripping and damage to the blood supply.
Such injuries will require a lot more consideration when the choice of treatment is being made and
usually take longer to heal.
♦ How many fragments? Simple? Butterfly? Comminuted?
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♦ What is the position of the distal fragment?
All fractures must be described in three dimensions with the position of the distal fragment being
described relative to the proximal one. This is logical because the proximal fragment takes up a
position determined by the new muscle balance and so treatment must be aimed at repositioning the
distal fragment.
The fragment is therefore described in terms of:
Displacement: which may be anterior, posterior, medial or lateral.
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