Definition

Noun: A type of bone fracture where the break does not extend completely through the entire width or thickness of the bone. The bone is cracked or broken but remains in one piece.

Usage

The term "incomplete fracture" is used in medical contexts, specifically in orthopedics and radiology, to describe and classify a specific kind of bone injury. It contrasts with a "complete fracture," where the bone is broken into two or more separate pieces.

Examples

• An X-ray revealed an incomplete fracture in the child's forearm, often called a greenstick fracture.
• The doctor explained that the incomplete fracture would likely heal faster than a full break.
• Common in children due to their more flexible bones, an incomplete fracture may not require surgical intervention.

Advanced Usage

In medical diagnosis and reporting, specifying an incomplete fracture provides crucial information about the injury's stability and potential treatment path. It often implies a better prognosis.

Variants and Related Words

• Greenstick fracture: A specific and common type of incomplete fracture in children, where the bone bends and cracks on one side.
• Hairline fracture: Another type of incomplete fracture, a very thin crack in the bone that can be difficult to detect on an X-ray.
• Fissure fracture: A term sometimes used synonymously with a hairline or incomplete fracture.
• Complete fracture: The antonym, where the bone fragments are completely separated.

Synonyms

• Partial fracture
• Crack (in a bone, in medical context)

Antonyms

• Complete fracture
• Displaced fracture

Noun

1. fracture that does not go across the entire width of the bone