What are some different types of bone fractures?

Fractures may be classified as:

1. Closed or simple fracture — the bone is broken but does not puncture the skin. 
2. Open or compound fracture — the bone is broken and punctures the skin. The bone may or may not be visible at the punctured site.
3. Transverse fracture — The fractured bone is at right angles to long axis of the bone.
4. Comminuted fracture — The fracture is in three or more bone fragments.
5. Greenstick fracture — the fracture is only on one side of the bone.

Fractures come in a number of varieties. Their treatment is based on the severity of the injury. Here's a look at the variations of bone fractures:

• Simple fracture: This is about the cleanest injury when it comes to broken bones. The bone breaks cleanly, in one place.
• Compound fracture. A broken bone punctures the skin.
• Impacted fracture: An end of a fractured bone is driven into another.
• Comminuted fracture: Part of a bone shatters into fragments.
• Greenstick fracture: A child's bone is bent and cracked, but isn't broken.
• Avulsion fracture: A fracture occurs after a powerful muscle contraction wrenches bone and tendon.
• Pathological fracture: Bones, which are weakened by disease, break with little force.