Not all bone fractures are the same. A bone breaks when the force on the bone is greater than the bone can withstand. This can happen in many ways. There are therefore many different types of bone fractures. The severity of the break varies from a crack in the bone to a bone that is completely shatterd and no longer in place.

Below is a list of many different types of bone fractures. Many combinations of these fractures are possible. A traumatic fracture may, for example, consist of multiple fractures, be displaced and open. A stress fracture is usually a hairline fracture that is non-displaced and closed.

Incomplete fracture

In an incomplete fracture, the bone is not completely broken through.

Complete fracture

In a complete fracture, the bone is completely broken. There are therefore two or more pieces.

Closed fracture / uncomplicated fracture

In this type of fracture, the skin is still intact and no bone protrudes through the skin to the outside.

Open fracture / complicated fracture

An open fracture is a fracture in which part of the bone protrudes through the skin. There is thus a wound present. Because the skin is broken, and dirt can enter the wound, there is a risk of infection. Such a subsequent problem is called a complication.

Unstable fracture

With an unstable fracture, there is a high risk that the fracture parts will displace. As a result, blood vessels, nerves or other structures can also be damaged. An unstable fracture must not be moved or loaded.

Stable fracture

In the case of a stable fracture, the chance that the fracture worsens and causes greater damage is small.

Non-displaced fracture

A non-displaced fracture is a complete fracture in which the fracture surfaces of the bone still lie neatly against each other.

Displaced fracture

If a bone breaks completely and the ends of the fracture no longer lie opposite each other, then the fracture is displaced.

Transverse fracture

In this fracture, the fracture line runs straight across the bone.

Longitudinal fracture

A longitudinal fracture runs along the length of the bone.

Oblique fracture

An oblique fracture runs diagonally along the length of the bone.

Spiral fracture

In a spiral fracture, one or both parts of the fracture are twisted relative to each other.

Traumatic fracture

Traumatic fractures are fractures resulting from an accident, hard blow or fall.

Non-traumatic fracture

A non-traumatic fracture is not caused by a hard blow, accident or fall, but by overuse or disease of the bone (see fracture due to bone disease).

Comminution / comminuted fracture

In a comminution, there is not one fracture but multiple fractures in the same bone. There are therefore also several bone parts and/or bone splinters.

Segmental fracture

The same bone is broken in 2 places; there is a free segment (part). There is thus a piece of bone that makes no contact with the rest of the bone at either end.

Fracture dislocation / fracture-dislocation

In a fracture dislocation, the bone is broken and the associated joint is dislocated.

Avulsion fracture

Here, a small piece of bone has been torn off or avulsed. The tendon or ligament attached to the bone has pulled so hard on the bone that a small piece has come loose.

Intra-articular fracture

Intra-articular fractures are fractures that extend into the joint. The cartilage of the joint is damaged.

Compression fracture

In a compression fracture, the bone collapses. This occurs regularly in the vertebrae of older people.

Impacted fracture

A piece of bone has broken off and is driven into another bone (part).

Fracture due to bone disease / pathological fracture / insufficiency fracture

If there is a disease present that has weakened the bone and thus causes it to break (more easily), then this is a pathological or insufficiency fracture. The bone is, for example, weakened by a tumour, bone cyst, osteoporosis or another bone disease.

Hairline fracture / fissure

A hairline fracture is a crack in the bone.

Stress fracture

Stress fractures arise from prolonged overloading of the bone. These are usually cracks or hairline fractures of the bone.

Greenstick fracture

In a greenstick fracture, the bone bends like a young twig. The bone is bent and therefore broken on one side and still intact on the other.

Torus fracture

In a torus fracture, the bone deforms but does not break. The periosteum is still intact.

Growth plate fracture / epiphysiolysis / epiphyseal fracture

A fracture of the growth plate in children.

Types of bone fractures