Have you been told you have a comminuted fracture and are wondering what exactly that means? Fractures are defined as any break in the continuity of the bone. This broad definition allows there to be many different classifications of fractures, ranging from small cracks in the bone to multiple large breaks. The latter is known as a comminuted fracture and is considered one of the most painful and serious type of fractures.
A comminuted fracture is colloquially known as broken bones, however a “break” is not a correct orthopedic term and three separate pieces of bone are needed for a fracture to be technically considered comminuted. Comminuted fractures are general caused by an extremely hard sudden impact or a heavy crushing weight; splintering the bone into several pieces. Because it takes such a high level of force to shatter bone so drastically, these fractures do not occur over a period of time. However, having any small incomplete fracture increases your chances of it becoming comminuted as it reduces the force necessary for a severe break.
Comminuted Fracture Risks
A comminuted fracture is sudden and extremely painful for the victim. People suffering them often pass out from the amount of pain. In some comminuted fractures, one of the jagged bone fragments will be forced out, piercing the skin and causing the fracture to be classified as “open.” This can expose the bone to external dirt and bacteria, leading to contamination. An open comminuted fracture is much more likely to experience infection. This can cause not only the skin wound to heal slower, but also makes it less likely that the bone will set itself. Serious infections can increase the risk of post recovery conditions such as stiffness and arthritis.
A comminuted fracture is easily diagnosed with a simple X-ray. Depending on the seriousness of the fracture, surgery and post healing physical therapy may be necessary.