Orthopedic Trauma Glossary

Multiple traumatic injuries affecting several body systems or anatomical regions simultaneously.

Direct bone healing that occurs when fracture fragments are in close contact with rigid fixation and minimal gap.

Temporary stabilization of fracture fragments during surgery to maintain reduction while applying definitive fixation.

Temporary Kirschner wire placed to maintain fracture reduction during definitive fixation procedures.

Temporary fracture alignment achieved before definitive fixation, often maintained with clamps or temporary pins.

Formation of a false joint at the site of an ununited fracture.

Secondary displacement of a fracture after initial successful reduction and fixation.

A specific technique or series of movements used to realign displaced bone fragments or dislocated joints.

An intramedullary fixation technique where the nail is inserted from the distal end of the bone.

A secondary surgical procedure to revise or replace previous internal fixation hardware.

Improper rotational positioning of bone fragments following fracture, leading to functional impairment.

System for categorizing pediatric physeal (growth plate) injuries based on fracture pattern.

The angle at which a screw is inserted relative to the bone surface or fracture plane.

Progressive loosening and migration of orthopedic screws from their original position in bone.

Mechanical failure where a screw loses its hold in bone, often due to poor bone quality or excessive loading.

Loosening of a screw within bone, indicating loss of fixation integrity.

A point of stress concentration in bone or implant that increases the risk of failure at that location.

A femoral fracture occurring in the region below the lesser trochanter, typically within 5cm of this landmark.

A large-diameter screw used to temporarily stabilize the tibiofibular syndesmosis after ankle injury.

Injury to the fibrous ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula, affecting ankle stability.

A fixation technique that converts tensile forces into compressive forces across a fracture site.

Inflammation of bone growth centers due to repetitive pulling forces from attached tendons or muscles.

A screw that engages only one cortex of bone, typically used when bicortical purchase is not feasible or necessary.

Deformity where the distal portion of a limb is angled away from the midline of the body.