Fracture Classification — Types and Patterns MCQ — NEET PG Practice Question | NEETPGAI
Fracture Classification — Types and Patterns
medium
bone Orthopedics
All of the following are characteristics of a simple (closed) fracture EXCEPT:
A. Risk of infection is significantly lower compared to compound fractures
B. Bone fragments are always in anatomical alignment without displacement
C. The overlying skin and soft tissues remain intact
D. The fracture site is not exposed to the external environment
Explanation
Understanding Simple vs Compound Fractures
Key Point
A simple (closed) fracture is defined by the integrity of the overlying soft tissues and skin, NOT by the alignment or displacement of bone fragments.
Characteristics of Simple Fractures
Table
Feature
Simple Fracture
Compound Fracture
Skin integrity
Intact
Broken/exposed
Soft tissue damage
Minimal
Extensive
Infection risk
Low
High (open to environment)
Bone alignment
May be displaced or undisplaced
May be displaced or undisplaced
Contamination
Closed system
Open to external pathogens
Why Each Option Is Correct or Incorrect
Options 1, 2, 3 (Correct):
A simple fracture has intact skin and soft tissues, creating a closed system with minimal infection risk.
The fracture site is protected from the external environment.
Option 4 (INCORRECT — The Answer):
Warning
This is a common misconception. A simple fracture can be displaced, angulated, or rotated — the defining feature is NOT alignment but rather the integrity of the overlying tissues. A simple fracture may require significant reduction despite being "closed."
Clinical Pearl
A patient with a simple but severely displaced femoral shaft fracture still has a simple fracture; the displacement does not convert it to a compound fracture unless the skin is breached.
High-YieldNEET PG
The classification (simple vs compound) is based on soft tissue integrity, not bone alignment. Alignment is a separate descriptor (undisplaced vs displaced).
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