Describing a fracture on a radiograph and naming its pattern

What it is

A fracture is described in a fixed order, and the document gives the order as the mnemonic LADS-N: L for Location, A for Alignment, D for Displacement, S for Skin status (open vs closed), and N for Nature, meaning the pattern or type of fracture.

The first four letters

1. Location — describe which bone and which part, for example midshaft of femur, or distal radius.
2. Alignment — describe any angulation, for example 20° anterior angulation, and any rotation or shortening.
3. Displacement — non-displaced vs displaced; if displaced, mention the direction, for example posteriorly displaced.
4. Skin status — closed means no break in skin; open means the skin is broken, and an open fracture is an orthopedic emergency.