Foot and ankle fractures

A fracture is referred to as any break in bone continuity. There are several types of fractures:

• a simple fracture also referred to as a closed fracture – when the skin remains intact,
• an open (compound) fracture involves the impaired skin integrity which may result from the trauma itself or be caused by the fractured bone chips. Open fractures are a very dangerous type of injury, as they are accompanied by the extensive tissue damage, major blood loss and high potential for infection.
• Comminuted fractures are referred to as the situation when the bone has been broken into a number of pieces, or when some part of it is completely crushed.
• Greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures, i.e. breaks which do not go through the entire bone. Greenstick fractures heal very easily. This type of injury occurs the most commonly in children.