Compound Fractures
Saturday May 1, 2004
An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is an injury that occurs when there is a break in the skin around a broken bone. In order for an injury to be classified as a compound fracture, the outside air (and dirt and bacteria) must be able to get to the fracture site without a barrier of skin or soft-tissue. Therefore, a bone does not need to be through the skin in order for the injury to be called a compound fracture.
Why the fuss about compound fractures? Because these injuries are open to the outside world, there is a very significant risk of developing an infection around the fracture. If an infection develops, there can be problems with bone healing. Therefore, compound fractures are generally treated with surgery to clean the site of injury and stabilize the fracture.
Comments
this article on compound fractures contradicts itself…says does not need to be thru the skin. which is true? thank you. i had both tibia and fibia broke and had to be in traction, but bone not thru the skin. is that consicered a compound fracture? thank you.
*tibia
*considered
sorry, half asleep
In order for an injury to be classified as a compound fracture, the outside air (and dirt and bacteria) must be able to get to the fracture site without a barrier of skin or soft-tissue…Therefore, a bone does not need to be through the skin in order for the injury to be called a compound fracture. ‘its a contradiction in terms’
http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/c/c0535100.html
compound fracture definition
n.
A fracture in which broken bone fragments lacerate soft tissue and protrude through an open wound in the skin.
my son has a compound fracture and so far has had an ex fix on his leg for eleven weeks, they want him to go back in another three weeks for xray. Why is this taking so long to heal(its his Tibia thats broken) and also they say they will remove the ex fix while he is awake, isnt this going to be extremely painful for him? thankyou Tracy.
my husband had a compound fracture 4years ago. tibia and fibia clear through the skin, he has been in pain ever since, at the ankle part of surgery he has literally a bolt protruding through the skin from the titanium rod placed through his leg, is this common? and is it fixable?? we are seriously considering a suit!
margaret,
I had a very similar injury, in 2003, I have many screws protuding, as well as daily pain. I do not believe the surgens are at fault, quite franky i am just happy to have my foot still attached. but i am interested to see what you guys come up with. i have been trying to collect disabuility and keep getting turned down.
Eduardo..[Arsenal Striker] Has Suffered A Leg Break And Now Has Something Called A Compound Fracture…How Will It Heall…How Longg..??
My husband has a compound fracture which happened 6 days ago but are yet to repair it even though it is now clean and seems free from infection is this normal to take so long to repair?
I had a campound fracture(leg) 2 months ago and while i was in rehab (after a month & week) I had high tempreture (103 degree) for for first day and around 99 second day. It stopped by itself and didnot reoceer. I was rush to emergency and despite of all tests they couldnot find anything. I’m still curious why i had fever? My surgery wound is healing fine.
love to hear from you guys
newkife- i had a similar thing happen after a compound fracture of my arm. i was diagnosed with very minor osteomyelitis which healed with antibiotics. it could have been the same, except it healed up on its own.
I suffered a multiple compound fracture in my right leg in January it is now July and the wound is still not healing around the area of my skin graft also the bone has not healed. Is this normal?