Fractures can be simple, or closed, so called because the bone is broken with no penetration of the skin; or they can be compound or open, so called because the broken bone has protruded through the skin and there is an open wound in addition to the fracture. Two of the most common types of fractures are both simple fractures: Colles fracture and Potts fracture. Colles fracture is a fracture of the lower end of the radius. Potts fracture is a fracture of the lower part of the fibula and the malleolus of the tibia.

Types Of Fractures:
*Greenstick - The bone is bent on one side and fractured on the other side
*Oblique - The bone is fractured and runs obliquely to the axis of the bone
*Transverse - The bone is fractured at a right angle to the axis of the bone
*Comminuted - The bone is splintered into fragments
*Impacted - The bone is fractured into fragments and the fragments have been driven into the interior of another bone

Treatment
*stabilizing the break with a splint
*often, a physician will align the bone
*restoring the fractured pieces of bone to their natural positions
*the fractured limb is normally immobilized with a cast or splint
*if being treated with surgery, surgical nails, screws, plates and wires are used to hold the bones in place

If you or a loved one is suffering from a bone fracture, talk to your doctor about treatment options.