ATLS
X-ray
Shows fracture type
Free air on x-ray may suggest<unk>  in more equivocal cases (not sensitive)
Trauma labs
Shows fracture type
Free air on x-ray may suggest<unk>  in more equivocal cases (not sensitive)
Additional sites of injury found in 40-80% of cases
Nerve, vascular, muscular, and/or ligamentous injury
As the grade increases, so does the risk of infection
Wound <1cm
Little soft tissue injury or crush injury
Moderately clean puncture site
Infection risk 0-12%
Laceration >1cm
No extensive soft tissue damage, but slight or moderate crush injury
Moderate contamination
Infection risk 2-12%
Extensive damage to soft tissue, including neurovascular structures and muscle
High degree of contamination
Infection risk 5-50%
Further subcategorized:
III A: Fracture covered by soft tissue (Infection risk 5-10%)
III B: Loss of soft tissue and evidence of bone stripping (Infection risk 10-50%)
III C: Any fracture with an associated arterial injury that requires surgical repair (Infection risk 25-50%)
III A: Fracture covered by soft tissue (Infection risk 5-10%)
III B: Loss of soft tissue and evidence of bone stripping (Infection risk 10-50%)
III C: Any fracture with an associated arterial injury that requires surgical repair (Infection risk 25-50%)
Open fracture
Compartment syndrome
Open joint injury
Contusion
Straddle pelvic fracture
Crush syndrome
Chance fracture
Degloving injury