When assessing insurance claims for bone fractures, claims adjusters need to
specify what type of fracture it is. Below are common categories:
- Comminuted fractures occur when the bone fragments into a number
of pieces.
- Compound fractures involve extension of one or both bone
fragments piercing the skin or damaging internal organs (such as a fractured
rib piercing a lung).
- Compression fractures occur when bone tissue is driven together.
This type of fracture often occurs with falls in which individuals use their
arms to break the fall, resulting in compression of the wrist or elbow
bones.
- Depressed fractures are frequently seen in skull injuries, in
which the bone is pushed into a concave position, often resulting in brain
contusions, concussions, or trauma.
- Fissure fractures are commonly referred to as hairline
fractures. The bone is cracked but not completely broken through—also called
an incomplete fracture.
- Greenstick fractures are aptly named since the bone is not
broken but, rather, bent and is still in one piece. This type of fracture is
often seen in children whose bones are not yet hardened.
- Pathological fractures are caused by disease, weakness in bone
tissue, or for some other non-traumatic reason. These types of fractures may
occur without any unusual force, such as the deterioration and collapse of
bone tissue due to osteoporosis. When pathological conditions exist, trauma
to the bone may lead to more damage than might have been expected if the
secondary condition did not exist. Pathological conditions may also slow or
delay the healing process.