156 Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology children than in adults. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture caused when a bone bends or twists but does not break all the way through. Bone fractures are diagnosed and treated as appropriate for the nature of the injury. Symptoms of a simple fracture typically include swelling and The bones of children contain relatively larger amounts of collagen than do the bones of adults. For this reason, children’s bones are more flexible and are generally less likely to fracture than adult bones. Consequently, greenstick fractures, or incomplete fractures, are more common in Common Bone Injuries and Disorders Etiology Prevention Pathology Diagnosis Treatment Fractures a force strong enough to cause a partial or complete break in a bone Be careful! swelling, tenderness, bruising, deformity, bone protrudes through skin if a compound fracture physical exam, X-ray cast immobilization, functional cast or brace, traction, external fixation Stress fractures repetitive activity that overwhelms a bone’s ability to self-repair avoid dramatic increase in activity, running or landing on a hard surface, and poorly cushioned shoes pain with activity X-ray, CT scan, MRI cease the activity that caused the stress fracture until healing occurs Osteochondrosis (Osgood-Schlatter disease) overuse of the quadriceps in adolescent athletes avoid excessive, repetitive physical activity involving the quadriceps pain and swelling over the anterior tibial growth plate that worsens with physical activity physical exam, X-ray cease the activity that caused the injury, stretching exercises, medication Osteoporosis abnormally low bone mineralization and strength due to aging or the female athlete triad regular weight- bearing exercise, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D avoid excessively low body weight daily activity results in bone fractures, with associated pain and deformity physical exam, X-rays, bone densitometry, specialized laboratory tests estrogen replacement therapy, prescribed medications to increase bone mass Herniated disc rupture in an intervertebral disc regular exercise, healthy weight, good posture arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness physical exam, imaging, nerve tests exercise, medication, physical therapy Figure 4.32 Goodheart-Willcox Publisher © Body Scientific International Figure 4.33 Types of fractures. A greenstick fracture is incomplete. The break occurs on the convex surface of the bend in the bone. A stress fracture involves an incomplete break. A B C D A comminuted fracture is complete and splinters the bone. A spiral fracture is caused by twisting a bone excessively. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.