Introduction to Trauma X-ray
Other fracture types

Avulsion injury

Range of movement at a joint is normally limited by ligaments or tendons which may withstand injury better than the bone to which they are attached. Excessive movement at a joint, may result in a bone fragment being pulled off, or 'avulsed', by a tendon or ligament.

A fracture arising in this way is called an 'avulsion fracture'.

Stress fracture

Whereas a pathological fracture can arise from a single minor trauma to an abnormal bone, a stress fracture is the result of repeated low impact trauma to a normal bone.

The 'march' fracture is a common stress fracture of a metatarsal bone. This is not only seen in soldiers who march, but also as the result of other repetitive weight-bearing activities.

Periprosthetic fracture

A periprosthetic fracture occurs at the site of orthopaedic metalwork.

Eponymous fractures

There is great variance in understanding of the defining features of many eponymous injuries. For example, there is no common agreement on the definition of a 'Colle's fracture'.

Eponyms may be useful in some settings, but if there is any doubt about the nature of an injury, then it is best to avoid using an eponymous term and describe the injury more specifically.