Skeletal trauma

Abstract

Skeletal trauma can be divided into three major groups of injuries to the musculoskeletal system: fractures, dislocations, and fracture/dislocations. A fracture is a disruption in the continuity of cortical and/or cancellous bone. A dislocation is a disruption of the normal articulating anatomy of a joint. Dislocations can be either a complete disruption of the normal anatomy or a partial dislocation, termed a subluxation. A fracture/dislocation is a fracture occurring in or near a joint that results in a subluxation or dislocation of the joint. © Springer Science + Business Media LLC 2010.