Final answer:
A fracture is classified as simple (closed) if the bone is broken without puncturing the skin and as compound (open) if the bone breaks and creates an open wound. The bone repair process varies based on the fracture type, with compound fractures often requiring surgical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
To classify a fracture as simple or compound, you must look at whether the skin has been broken through by the fracture. A simple fracture, also known as a closed fracture, occurs when the bone is broken but the skin is intact. In contrast, a compound fracture, also referred to as an open fracture, is where the bone breaks through the skin, creating an open wound.
Fractures can be further described by specific patterns or characteristics, such as transverse, oblique, spiral, or comminuted, among others. In simple fractures, the bone repair process includes the formation of hematoma, followed by the development of calli and the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts that remodel the bone.
On the other hand, compound fractures generally require more complex medical intervention, such as surgical open reduction, to properly re-align the bone fragments and prevent infection due to the open skin. Understanding the classification of fractures is crucial for proper treatment and healing.