This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Grading of open fractures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Grading is important in determining the management of open fractures:

  • Minor / Grade I - small punctate wound less than 1 cm associated with low velocity trauma. Minimal soft tissue injury. No crushing. No comminution.
  • Moderate / Grade II - wounds which are extensive in length and width but with relatively little soft tissue damage, and only moderate crushing or comminution.
  • Major / Grade III - wounds of moderate or massive size with considerable soft tissue injury and/or foreign body contamination:
    • III A - sufficient soft tissue to cover the fracture
    • III B - insufficient tissue to cover the fracture; also periosteal stripping and severe comminution
    • III C - arterial damage requiring repair. Degree of soft tissue damage not considered

Less than 2% wound infection in grade I; more than 10% in grade II. High velocity injuries are III B or III C although the external wound may be small.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.