This is a tabulated compilation for complications of fractures in general which can be immediate, early or delayed and local or generalized/systemic. This topic is commonly tested in exams.
| Local | Systemic | |
| Immediate | 1. Soft tissue injuries (Skin, Nerve, Vessels, Muscle-tendon) 2. Physeal injury 3. Hemarthrosis 4. Local visceral injury | 1. Hemorrhagic shock 2. Aseptic traumatic fever 3. Injury to remote organs |
| Early | 1. Skin necrosis 2. Fracture blisters 3. Gas gangrene 4. Gangrene of limb 5. Compartment syndrome 6. Venous thrombosis 7. Loss of initial reduction or fixation 8. Iatrogenic: Pressure ulcers, Pin tract infections, Pin loosening of breakage, Neurovascular damage due to pin placement | 1. Fat embolism 2. Pulmonary thromboembolism 3. Crush syndrome 4. Pneumonia 5. Tetanus 6. Delirium tremens 7. ARDS 8. Septicemia 9. Myocardial infarctions and postoperative arrhythmia 10. Exacerbation of Diabetes |
| Delayed | 1. Nerve: Tardy ulnar nerve palsy 2. Muscle: Myositis ossificans, Volkmann ischemic contracture, Sudeck’s dystrophy 3. Bone/fracture: Malunion, Nonunion, Delayed union, Growth disturbance, Cross union, Chronic osteomyelitis, Avascular necrosis (AVN) 4. Joint: Stiffness, Osteoarthritis | 1. Loss of work/occupation 2. Loss of independence 3. Mobility problems (elderly patients generally go down 1 level of ambulation function after a significant fracture) |
References:
- Manipal Manual of Orthopaedics By Vivek Pandey
- Shortcut to Orthopaedics By Dr. Robert Perlau