Is their terminology for varying bone fracture severity?

Question

I have done research on the various different types of bone fractures however I am not able to find any resources discussing specifically the severity of fractures. For example I had assumed that the size/length of a fracture would be relevant to its severity however as pointed out by @anongoodnurse this is not always so straight forward. The other factors I am guessing relate to the severity are whether the fracture is open (more severe?) or closed (less severe?), and a displaced (more severe?) or a stress (less severe?) fracture?

As a simple theoretical example, if there is a person with a greenstick fracture in the same metacarpal bone on their right and left hands, but one fracture is more severe than the other, what terminology would be used to describe/communicate this difference in severity? Would it be the size/length difference, the fact that it is open/closed, displaced/not, etc. What terminology would be used to make it clear that yes this person has the same type of fracture on each hand, but the left is more severe because of x, y and z factors.

I hope this is clearer, please comment where further detail is needed and I'll be happy to add it.

Answer 1

So, as far as I am aware there is no specific grading of severity of fracture. Severity in fractures can be individual and based on age, debility, etc. Most classification systems I am aware of are based on describing the fracture. Open/closed, oblique, longitudinal, etc. There are also specific common fractures with names, such as a tri-malleolar fracture Colles fracture. There are some classification systems based on describing the fracture. You might look up Salter-Harris or Gustillo-Anderson, to name a few.

Edit: I almost forgot to add- there are classification systems for internal organ injuries that are based on severity. The American academy of trauma surgeons has a good resource on this.