Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (2024)

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A fracture is a broken bone, the same as a crack or a break. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces).

Types of Fractures

Although bones are rigid, they do bend, or give, somewhat when an outside force is applied. However, if the force is too great, bones will break, just as a plastic ruler breaks when it is bent too far.

The severity of a fracture usually depends on the force that caused the break. If the bone's breaking point has been exceeded only slightly, the bone may crack rather than break all the way through. If the force is extreme, such as that caused by an automobile crash or gunshot, the bone may shatter.

If the bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin, or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone, the fracture is called an open fracture. This type of fracture is particularly serious because once the skin is broken, infection in both the wound and the bone can occur.

Common types of fractures include:

  • Stable fracture. The broken ends of the bone line up and are barely out of place.
  • Open (compound) fracture. The skin may be pierced by the bone or by a blow that breaks the skin at the time of the fracture. The bone may or may not be visible in the wound.
  • Transverse fracture. This type of fracture has a horizontal fracture line.
  • Oblique fracture. This type of fracture has an angled pattern.
  • Comminuted fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone shatters into three or more pieces.

Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (2)

A bone can fracture in different ways. Some common fracture types are shown here.

Cause

The most common causes of fractures are:

  • Trauma. A fall, motor vehicle accident, or tackle during a football game can all result in fractures.
  • Osteoporosis. This disorder weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
  • Overuse. Repetitive motion can tire muscles and place more force on bone. This can result in stress fractures. Stress fractures are more common in athletes.

Symptoms

Many fractures are very painful and may prevent you from moving the injured area. Other common symptoms include:

  • Swelling and tenderness around the injury
  • Bruising
  • Deformity — a limb may look out of place, or a part of the bone may puncture through the skin

Doctor Examination

Your doctor will do a careful examination to assess your overall condition, as well as the extent of the injury. They will talk with you about how the injury occurred, your symptoms, and your medical history.

The most common way to evaluate a fracture is with X-rays, which provide clear images of bone. Your doctor will likely use an X-ray to verify the diagnosis. X-rays can show whether a bone is intact or broken. They can also show the type of fracture and exactly where it is located within the bone.

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Treatment

Cast Immobilization

A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment, because most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been repositioned and a cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal.

Functional Cast or Brace

The cast or brace allows limited or controlled movement of nearby joints. This treatment is desirable for some, but not all, fractures.

Traction

Traction is usually used to align a bone or bones by a gentle, steady pulling action. It is not typically used as a definitive treatment.

External Fixation

In this type of operation, the doctor places metal pins or screws into the broken bone above and below the fracture site. The pins or screws are connected to a metal bar outside the skin. This device is a stabilizing frame that holds the bones in the proper position while they heal.

In cases where the skin and other soft tissues around the fracture are badly damaged, an external fixator may be applied until you can tolerate surgery.

Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (3)

An external fixator applied to a broken femur (thighbone).

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

During this operation, the doctor first repositions (reduces) the bone fragments into their normal alignment and holds the bones together with special screws or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone. The fragments may also be held together by inserting rods down through the center of the bone.

Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (4)

A specially designed metal rod, called an intramedullary nail, provides strong fixation for this thighbone fracture.

Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (5)

In this X-ray, the broken bones of the forearm are held in position by plates and screws while they heal.

Recovery

Fractures take several weeks to several months to heal, depending on the extent of the injury and how well you follow your doctor's advice. Pain usually stops long before the fracture is solid enough to handle the stresses of normal activity.

Even after your cast or brace is removed, you may need to continue limiting your movement until the bone is solid enough for normal activity.

During your recovery you will likely lose muscle strength and range of motion in the injured area. Specific exercises will help you restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility.

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Prevention

Proper diet and exercise may help prevent some fractures. A diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D will promote bone strength. Weightbearing exercise also helps keep bones strong.

Fractures (Broken Bones) - OrthoInfo - AAOS (2024)

FAQs

What is the medical term for a broken bone answer? ›

A bone fracture is the medical definition for a broken bone. Fractures are usually caused by traumas like falls, car accidents or sports injuries.

Do fractures count as broken bones? ›

A fracture is a broken bone, the same as a crack or a break. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces).

What are the 4 types of fractures? ›

A bone fracture is a broken bone. The four types of bone fractures are a stable fracture, a compound fracture, a transverse fracture and an oblique fracture.

What is a fracture quizlet? ›

Fracture. a break in the continuity of a bone, an energy absorbing mechanism which acts to protect soft tissue in the area.

What are breaks in bones called quizlet? ›

Simple Fracture. -Bone breaks cleanly, but does not penetrate skin. -Sometimes called "closed fracture" Compound Fracture. -Bone ends of the bone protrude through soft tissue & the skin.

What is a broken bone called? ›

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone. A fracture occurs when force exerted against a bone is stronger than the bone can structurally withstand.

What is the most painful bone to break? ›

The femur is often put at the top of the most painful bones to break.

What is a fracture classified as? ›

A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. When a fracture happens, it's classified as either open or closed: Open fracture (compound fracture): The bone pokes through the skin and can be seen. Or a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin. Closed fracture (simple fracture).

Is a broken bone an orthopedic injury? ›

Orthopedic trauma specialists

Specially trained to deal exclusively with trauma, including broken bones, bones that heal incorrectly, infections, and complex fractures.

What is the most serious type of fracture? ›

A compound fracture is when you have a broken bone that pierces the skin or is coming through an open wound. Also called an open fracture, this type of injury is usually a result of a traumatic injury or excessive force. All compound fractures are severe injuries.

Which type of fractures are most difficult to repair? ›

Repair of comminuted fractures follows a healing pattern similar to that of simple fractures, but on a larger scale. Such fractures generally are very difficult to treat and may result in a deformity of the injured part even after treatment.

What is the most common bone to break? ›

Well, perhaps surprisingly, the most common bone to break is actually the clavicle, more often known as the collarbone. The clavicle is the bone that runs across the front of the body from shoulder to shoulder.

What is a bone fracture vs break? ›

Contrary to popular belief, there is no real difference between a “break” and a “fracture.” Both terms essentially mean the same thing. However, the difference comes from the type of break or fracture: simple or complex. This difference can determine the severity of the injury and the type of care a patient will need.

What is a twisting fracture called? ›

What is a spiral fracture? Spiral fractures are a type of broken bone. They happen when one of your bones is broken with a twisting motion. They create a fracture line that wraps around your bone and looks like a corkscrew.

What is a closed fracture? ›

A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but there is no puncture or open wound in the skin. An open fracture is one in which the bone breaks through the skin; it may then recede back into the wound and not be visible through the skin.

What is the medical term for easily broken bones? ›

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic or heritable disease in which bones fracture (break) easily, often with no obvious cause or minimal injury.

What is one word for broken bone? ›

Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fracture.

What is fracture in medical terms? ›

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

What is bone called in medical terms? ›

Roots, suffixes, and prefixes
componentmeaningexample
CHONDR-cartilagechondrocyte = a cartilage cell
COST-ribcostalgia = pain in the ribs
OSTEO-boneosteosarcoma = a type of bone tumour
SCOLIO-curved / crookedscoliosis = curvature of the spine
4 more rows

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