Which fracture is described as a ragged break caused by twisting forces?

• A. Greenstick fracture
• B. Spiral fracture
• C. Comminuted fracture
• D. Compression fracture

Answer: (B)

A spiral fracture is caused by twisting forces that rotate the bone while it breaks, producing a ragged, spiraling line around the bone. This twist creates a helical fracture pattern rather than a clean straight crack, and that ragged appearance comes from the torsional stress tearing the bone as it rotates. It often results from a rapid or forceful twist, such as in sports injuries or falls with the limb twisted.

This pattern differs from other fracture types: greenstick fractures are incomplete breaks in children where one side bends and the other cracks; comminuted fractures have multiple bone fragments; compression fractures occur when a bone is crushed under axial load, such as in the spine.