Anterior wedge compression fracture of vertebra
(Click on  image for an enlarged view)

Compression fracture of the anterior part of vertebral body occurring in forward flexion
Usually does not produce neurological deficits
It is a stable fracture as only the anterior column of spine is involved
Caused by : Road traffic accidents, Fall from height
Predisposing factors : Osteoporosis

Stable spine is one which after the initial injury does not get displaced further. The spine is stable when atleast 2 columns of the spine are intact.
Three column concept of spine stability

According to the three column concept, the spine is considered to have 3 columns:

Anterior
Middle
Posterior

The anterior column is composed of:

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior half of vertebral body and intervertebral disc

The middle column is composed of:

Posterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior half of vertebral body and intervertebral disc

The posterior column is composed of:

Transverse process
Spinous process
Pedicle
Lamina
Faceted joints
Interspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Ligamentum flavum

Spinal injury and Three column concept:

One …

Bones of the hand
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Swan neck deformity refers to a structural deformity of the hand in which

proximal interphalangeal joints are in hyperextension
distal interphalangeal joints are in hyperflexion

Commonly seen in injuries or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Seen in 50% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment is by surgical correction

Fracture of a bone in which the fracture fragments do not separate

Refers to biconcave vertebral bodies seen in osteomalacia
Similar appearance can also be seen in osteoporosis

External links:

“Fish” or “Fish Mouth” Vertebrae? – American Journal of Roentgenology

Plain x-ray pelvis AP view showing undisplaced fracture of inferior ramus of pubis.
(Click on the image for an enlarged view)
Differential diagnosis

Looser’s zone seen in osteomalacia

Pseudofractures seen in osteomalacia
Also called Milkman’s line
Thin (about 2mm) radioluscent bands extending from the cortex inwards perpendicular to the bone surface
Origin is by incomplete stress fractures which heal with callus deficient in calcium
Most commonly seen in pubic rami, neck of femur, neck of humerus, axillary edge of scapula

Inner layer of the periosteum of a bone composed of flattened osteoprogenitor cells
Have the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts
Important in fracture healing
Intracapsular area of neck of femur does not have cambium layer, hence healing after fracture is impaired

The bundles of trabeculae in proximal femur are:

Primary compressive
Primary tensile
Secondary compressive
Secondary tensile

Ward’s traingle is an area of the femoral neck formed by the intersection of 3 bundles of trabeculae

primary compressive trabeculae medially
primary tensile and secondary compressive trabeculae laterally

Area of the femoral neck formed by the intersection of 3 bundles of trabeculae

primary compressive trabeculae medially
primary tensile and secondary compressive trabeculae laterally

It is an area of low bone density
Contains thin, loosely packed trabeculae
Seen in x-rays as a radiolucent area