A depression fracture is a type of bone break, most often affecting the skull, where the fractured bone is pushed inward toward the underlying structures, such as the brain.
This type of fracture is characterized by:
- Inward Displacement: The broken piece of bone is displaced below the normal surface of the bone, creating a depression or indentation.
- Location: While most commonly associated with skull fractures, depression fractures can occur in other bones as well.
- Potential Complications: Depression fractures, especially those of the skull, can lead to serious complications if the displaced bone presses on or damages underlying tissues or organs (e.g., the brain).
- Open vs. Closed: A depression fracture can be either open (compound), meaning the skin is broken and the bone is exposed, or closed, where the skin remains intact. Open fractures carry a higher risk of infection.
- Cause: These fractures are often caused by high-impact trauma, such as a blow to the head with a hard object.
In the context of skull fractures, a depressed skull fracture represents a serious injury requiring prompt medical attention. The severity depends on the degree of depression, the location of the fracture, and whether there is any associated damage to the underlying brain tissue.
