A fracture is a complete or incomplete break in the continuity of bone. This will be accompanied by varying degrees of injury to surrounding soft tissues.
Fractures normally result from stress of short duration which is greater than normal physiological stress or is applied in a direction which is not physiological.

Direct impact is the most common cause of fractures:

• RTA
• Blow or kick

• Avulsion of the tibial tuberosity
• Fracture of the condyles of the humerus or femur

• metacarpal or metatarsal bones in the racing greyhound

Fractures may be classified under the following headings

1. Presence of a communicating external wound

• Closed fracture: The fracture does not communicate to the outside.
• Open fracture: The fracture site communicates to the outside. These fractures are likely to be contaminated or infected, and healing may be complicated or delayed.

2. Extent of damage

• Complete fracture: There is total disruption of the bone, usually accompanied by marked displacement.
• Green-stick fracture: One side of the bone is broken, and the other is bent. This type of fracture is usually seen in the young growing animal. Displacement is minimal and healing is rapid.
• Fissure fracture: One or more fine cracks penetrate the cortex, often in a longitudinal or spiral direction. The periosteal covering is still intact.

3. Direction and location of fracture line
 
 

Transverse fracture: The fracture occurs at right angles to the axis of the bone.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Oblique fracture: The line of the fracture is diagonal to the long axis.
The fragments tend to override as a result of muscle contraction, unless stability is maintained by fixation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Spiral fracture: The line of fracture is a curve. The fragments tend to override and rotate unless fixated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comminuted fracture: Splintering or fragmentation is present.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Multiple or segmental fracture: The bone is broken into three or more pieces; the fracture lines do not meet at a common point.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Impacted fracture: The bone fragments are driven forcefully together.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Avulsion fracture: A fragment of bone, which is the site of insertion of a muscle, tendon or ligament, is detached as the result of excessive tension.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Physeal fracture: The fracture occurs at the epiphyseal line or growth plate. This occurs only in the young growing animal.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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