Figure 6-1. Examples of fractures.
b. Open Fracture. An open fracture is one in which the skin is broken
(penetrated). The source of the penetration may have been the sharp end of a
fractured bone (figure 6-1 B) or a foreign object such as a bullet which penetrated the
skin and fractured the bone (figure 6-1 C). If an open wound is caused by a fractured
bone, the bone may remain visible or it may slip back below the skin and muscle
tissues. An open fracture results in more blood loss than does a closed fracture since
the blood can escape through the open wound. In addition, infection is a major
concern.
6-3.
COMMON CAUSES OF FRACTURES
Fractures may be caused by a direct blow to the body (such as being hit by a
vehicle) or by indirect force that results in a fracture away from the point of impact (such
as a hip fracture resulting from a person landing on his knee after a hard fall). A
fracture can also result from a limb being twisted or even from powerful muscle
contractions during a seizure. Fatigue (stress) fractures can result by repeated stress,
such as a stress fracture of the foot during a long march. Certain diseases can weaken
bones and make them easier to break. High-energy impacts, such as being hit by a
speeding vehicle or by a bullet, may produce multiple fractures and cause severe
damage to surrounding tissues. Falls are a common cause of fractures.
IS0877
6-3
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