Transverse Fractures

Learn about transverse fractures including diagrams.

Last updated: Nov 20th, 2024

A transverse fracture is a specific type of broken bone where the break is at a right angle to the long plane of the bone. Transverse fractures most often occur as the result of a strong force applied perpendicular to the long axis of a bone. They may also be the result of a stress fracture where many microscopic breaks form in the bone from repetitive stress, such as running.

Treatment of transverse fractures often requires the bones to be realigned before being set. Failure to realign the fragments of bone properly may lead to a nonunion fracture (when the ends of the bone do not reattach) or a malunion fracture (where the bone fragments join in the incorrect position).