Fundación Maurice E. Müller - España
Foundation Overview Teaching Activities and ServicesComprehensive Classification SystemBooksData Base of Fractures CasesResearch ActivitiesWebsite Map
Atlas of International Fixation Errores en la OsteosíntesisAtlas de Artroscopia
Introduction Presentation Explanation Main Index Collaborations

Foreword Preface to the English Edition Preface to the Spanish Edition
Presentation Acknowledgements The Classification
Principles of the Classification Colors and Glossary Bones and Segments Types Exceptions to the Types How to Use the Classification
Statistical Abstract References

Principles of the Classification

The fundamental principle of the classification is the division of all possible fractures of a bone segment into three Types and their further subdivision into three Groups and their Subgroups. Each division and subdivision is arranged in ascending order of severity according to the morphologic complexities of the fractures, the difficulties inherent in their treatment and their prognosis.

Which Type?…Which Group?…Which Subgroup?…These three questions, and the possible answers to each, are the key to the classification.

The three Types are labelled A, B, and C. Each Type is divided into three Groups: A1, A2, A3 - B1, B2, B3 - C1, C2, C3, thus forming nine Groups. As each Group is further subdivided into three Subgroups denoted by .1, .2, and .3, there are 27 Subgroups for each segment. The Subgroups represent the three characteristic variations within the Group. The colors changing from green to yellow and then to red, as well as the darkening arrows, indicate the increasing severity. -A1 indicates the simplest fractures with the best prognosis, and -C3 the most complex fractures, the ones of the most difficult treatment and with the worst prognosis. Thus, the classification of a fracture automatically establishes its severity and leads to the optimal therapeutic decision.