COMPOUND FRACTURES Meaning and
Definition
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Compound fractures, also known as open fractures, are severe injuries in which the broken bone pierces through the skin, thereby exposing it to the external environment. This type of fracture is often the result of high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or falls from significant heights.
In a compound fracture, the bone is often shattered or splintered into multiple pieces, making the injury more complex and difficult to treat. The broken bone protruding through the skin poses a significant risk of infection, as it allows bacteria from the surrounding environment to enter the body. Thus, immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent serious complications.
The symptoms of compound fractures include intense pain, visible bone protrusion, bleeding, swelling, bruising, and deformity at the injury site. In some cases, there may be nerve or blood vessel damage associated with the fracture.
Treatment for compound fractures usually involves an emergency visit to the hospital. The primary goal is to prevent infection and stabilize the broken bone. The medical team may administer pain relief, clean the wound to minimize infection risk, and administer antibiotics. Afterward, the fractured bone is typically realigned (reduction) and immobilized using casts, splints, or external fixation devices. Surgical intervention may be necessary to clean the wound thoroughly and reposition the bone fragments accurately.
In conclusion, compound fractures are severe fractures in which the broken bone penetrates through the skin. Prompt medical attention is essential to minimize the risk of infection and ensure proper bone alignment and healing.
Common Misspellings for COMPOUND FRACTURES
- compund fracture
- compond fracture
- xompound fractures
- vompound fractures
- fompound fractures
- dompound fractures
- cimpound fractures
- ckmpound fractures
- clmpound fractures
- cpmpound fractures
- c0mpound fractures
- c9mpound fractures
- conpound fractures
- cokpound fractures
- cojpound fractures
- comoound fractures
- comlound fractures
- com-ound fractures
- com0ound fractures
- compiund fractures
Etymology of COMPOUND FRACTURES
The word "compound" in the term "compound fractures" comes from the Latin word "componere", which means "to put together". In this context, it refers to the fact that the bone is broken into multiple pieces or is fragmented.
The word "fracture" comes from the Latin word "fractura", which means "a breaking" or "a break".
Hence, when combined, "compound fractures" refers to a type of bone fracture where the bone breaks into multiple pieces and usually punctures the surrounding skin, resulting in an open or visible wound.
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