#skeleton
/fractures, general
Treatment of a {fracture} should be administered by trained medical personnel & involves immobilizing the limb & treating shock (if diagnosed).
$2
!b! ALL FRACTURES SHOULD BE TREATED IN HOSPITAL & SHOULD BE SEEN BY AN ORTHOPEDIC CONSULTANT.


!n! Skeletal bones can be divided into:
$1
long bones
flat bones
small bones


$1
#long bones
Long bones consist of:
$1
{tibia} & {fibula} in legs
{femur} (thigh) in upper leg
{radius}, {ulna} & {humerus} in arms


#flat bones
$1
Flat bones consist of:
$1
pelvic bones
ribs
{scapulae} (shoulder)
breast bones
skull 


#small bones
$1
Small bones consist of: 
$1
{spinal} or {vertebral}
bones of the hands & feet


#fracture types
$1
{Fractures} are categorized into 3 groups:
$2
$1
{SIMPLE FRACTURE}: includes {greenstick fractures} in children, or {closed fractures}


{COMPOUND FRACTURE} or {open fracture}, so called because of bone penetration through skin


{COMMINUTED FRACTURE} so called because bone is shattered into numerous fragments; this may be !i! compound !n! or !i! closed


$1
!n! When diagnosing a {fracture} look for:
$1
pain, deformity, bruising or swelling
sometimes patient complains of a grating sensation ({crepitus}) - do not try to induce this sign!!
{shock}
bone ends may be seen penetrating skin
$1