spiral fracture

{{Short description|Type of bone fracture}}

File:Humerus spiral fracture.png image of a spiral fracture to the left humerus (upper arm bone) of a 27-year-old male. The injury was sustained during a fall.]]

A spiral fracture (a.k.a. torsion fracture) is a bone fracture occurring when torque (a rotating force) is applied along the axis of a bone.{{cite web|title=Spiral Fracture|url=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~scdiroff/lds/NewtonianMechanics/SpiralFracture/SpiralFracture.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808193459/http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~scdiroff/lds/NewtonianMechanics/SpiralFracture/SpiralFracture.html|archivedate=8 August 2010|publisher=Harvard University|accessdate=25 November 2010}} Spiral fractures often occur when the body is in motion while one extremity is planted. For example, a spiral fracture of the tibia (the shinbone) can occur in young children when they fall short on an extended leg while jumping. This occurrence is known as "toddler's fracture". Spiral fractures are also recognized as being suspicious in very young children since to obtain a fracture of this sort requires forceful twisting or jerking of the limbs. Child abuse (physical abuse) and certain conditions such as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are considered differentials when identifying spiral or torsion fractures.{{cite web|last1=Lukefahr M.D.|first1=James|title=Child Abuse and Neglect Fractures|url=http://www.utmb.edu/pedi_ed/CORE/Abuse/page_08.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826155135/http://www.utmb.edu/pedi_ed/CORE/Abuse/page_08.htm|archivedate=26 August 2016|website=www.utmb.edu|publisher=University of Texas Health Science Center|accessdate=15 December 2014}}