compression fracture
Last reviewed 01/2018
A compression or crush fracture occurs when cancellous bone is squashed. It occurs in adults, especially in the lumbar vertebrae, tibial plateaux and calcaneum.
Management is difficult since there are no fragments left to manipulate back into position. Such fractures are usually reduced by external fixation or by opening the fracture, replacing the cortex in its normal position, and packing the cavity created with bone graft.