Fracture displacement:
The extent and direction of fracture displacement are related, on the one hand, to such external factors as the strength and action direction of the force and the shift condition after trauma; and on the other hand, to such internal factors as the gravity of the distal part of limb, attachment point of the muscle and its contractility. The fracture displacement is of the following five types, and any type may be accompanied with the others.

Angulation displacement:
The axial lines of the two ends of fracture cross each other, forming an angle. The angulation may be classified as forward, backward, inward or outward angulation according to the direction of its apex.

Lateral displacement:
The two broken ends of bone are displaced laterally. The displacement in limb bone, according to its displacement direction of the distal end, is classified forward, backward, inward or outward displacement. In the spine, it is classified according to the displacement direction of the vertebra just above it.

Shortened displacement:
The two broken ends of bone are overlapped or impacted into each other. The bone hence becomes shorter.

Separation displacement:
The two ends of fracture separate from each other, the bone hence becomes longer.

Rotation displacement:
The end of fracture rotates round the longitudinal axis of the bone.