Difference between revisions of "Fracture"

Latest revision as of 18:58, July 15, 2012

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls or sports injuries. Another cause is osteoporosis, which causes weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are

Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
Swelling, bruising or bleeding
Intense pain
Numbness and tingling
Limited mobility or inability to move a limb

If you have a fracture, you may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.

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-The way a [[mineral]] '''fractures''' can sometimes help to identify it. Most fractures can be described by the following terms:
+A '''fracture''' is a break, usually in a [[bone]]. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls or sports injuries. Another cause is [[osteoporosis]], which causes weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.
-<table><tr><td>''Uneven''<td>Rough or irregular surface</td></tr>
+Symptoms of a fracture are
-<tr><td>''Conchoidal''<td>"Shell-like," with a smooth curved surface.</td></tr>
-<tr><td>''Hackly''<td>Sharp, jagged surfaces like broken metal.</td></tr>
+* Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
-<tr><td>''Splintery''<td>Forming elongated splinters (applies to fibrous minerals).</td></tr>
+* Swelling, bruising or bleeding
-<tr><td>''Earthy''<td>Breaking like [[clay]] or [[chalk]].</td></tr></table> Chesterman, p. 32
+* Intense pain
-=Sources=
+* Numbness and tingling
-*Chesterman, Charles W. ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf: New York (1987)
+* Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
-[[category:geology]]
+If you have a fracture, you may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.
+[[Category:Medicine]]