Spiral fracture

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An x-ray image of a spiral fracture to the left humerus of a 27-year-old male. The injury was sustained during a fall.

A spiral fracture (also called a torsion fracture) is a bone fracture in which the bone has been twisted apart. It is highly unstable (problems of malunion or non-union) and may be diagnosed as an oblique fracture unless a proper x-ray has been taken. The spiral fracture will look like a corkscrew type which runs parallel with the axis of the broken bone. Oblique fractures are often hard to locate via radiographs with the oblique view usually the most diagnostic. Spiral fractures seldom occur when the person is not moving.

For children, mishaps such as falling down the stairs or sports injuries may cause a spiral fracture. Often associated with child abuse, suspect as a differential diagnosis

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