Tscherne Classification (Closed-Fracture Soft Tissue)

Oestern-Tscherne classification (Tscherne & Oestern 1982) of the soft-tissue injury of a closed fracture (grades 0-III, i.e. C0-C3) — the closed-fracture counterpart to the Gustilo-Anderson open-fracture classification.

Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.

Example

Tscherne grade
Grade II (C2) - deep abrasion, contusion, impending compartment syndrome

Result: Tscherne grade II (C2): deep contaminated abrasion with local contusion and an impending compartment syndrome; a moderate to severe injury.

The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.

What the result means

Grade 0 / I
C0: little or no soft-tissue injury (low-energy). C1: superficial abrasion or skin contusion from fragment pressure.
Grade II
C2: deep contaminated abrasion, local skin or muscle contusion; an impending compartment syndrome belongs here. Higher-energy.
Grade III
C3: extensive crush, degloving, an overt compartment syndrome, or an associated major vascular injury. Severe.

What you enter

  • Tscherne grade
How this is calculated

Tscherne H, Oestern HJ. Die Klassifizierung des Weichteilschadens bei offenen und geschlossenen Frakturen. Unfallheilkunde. 1982;85(3):111-115. Read the source ↗

A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.

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Built by Clay Good. Source on GitHub.