2010 Complications from Fractures PatientPlus

Description: Fracture is a common event: most of us will experience at least one during a lifetime. In modern times, with medical and surgical assistance, the majority heal without problem or significant loss of function. However, complications can pose risk to limb and even life.
Early complications
Local:
* Vascular injury causing haemorrhage, internal or external
* Visceral injury causing damage to structures such as brain, lung or bladder
* Damage to surrounding tissue, nerves or skin
* Haemarthrosis
* Compartment syndrome (or Volkmann's ischaemia)
* Wound Infection, more common for open fractures
Systemic:
* Fat embolism
* Shock
* Thromboembolism (pulmonary or venous)
* Exacerbation of underlying diseases such as diabetes or CAD
* Pneumonia
Late Complications
Local:
* Delayed Union
* Non-union
* Malunion
* Joint stiffness
* Contractures
* Myositis ossificans
* Avascular necrosis
* Algodystrophy (or Sudeck's atrophy)
* Osteomyelitis
* Growth disturbance or deformity
Systemic:
* Gangrene, tetanus, septicaemia
* Fear of mobilising
* Osteoarthritis