Fractures may be:

Open – There is a break in the skin over the fracture.

Closed – The skin is not broken.

Fractures may also be described as:

• Chip (avulsion fracture) – a small piece of bone broken away from the main bone
• Compression – the bone is compressed together (i.e., vertebrae)
• Greenstick – fracture in which one side of the bone is broken, and the other side is bent but not broken
• Transverse – the bone is broken in a horizontal line that is perpendicular to the surface of the bone cortex
• Oblique – the bone is broken in a line that is less than a 90 degree angle to the surface of the bone cortex
• Spiral – the line of the fracture forms a spiral
• Stress – a thin fracture line that occurs due to overuse rather than a single traumatic incident

• Falls
• Twists
• Blows
• Collisions

The trauma is a physical force applied to the bone that the bone cannot withstand. Stronger bones can withstand more physical force than weaker bones.

• Advancing age
• Postmenopause
• Decreased muscle mass
• Osteoporosis – decreased bone mass, which weakens bones
• Certain congenital bone conditions (rare)
• Accidents or violence

• Pain, often severe (primary symptom)
• Instability of the area around the break
• Inability to use the limb or affected area normally (there may full or partial restriction in movement)
• Swelling or bruising caused by the bleeding from the bone and surrounding tissues
• Numbness caused by damage to a near-by nerve (rare)
• Fainting or even shock (rare – only in a severe trauma)

Tests may include:

• X-rays – to look for a break in the bone
• CT Scan (rarely) – uses computerized x-rays to make pictures of structures inside the body
• MRI Scan (rarely) – a test that uses magnetic waves and radio waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
• Bone Scan(rarely) – only for stress fractures

• Putting the pieces of bone together (may require anesthesia and/or surgery)
• Keeping the pieces together while the bone heals itself

Devices that can hold a bone in place while it heals include:

• A cast (may be used with or without surgery)
• Metal pins across the bone with a frame holding them outside the bone (requires surgery)
• A metal plate with screws (requires surgery)
• Screws alone (requires surgery)
• A rod down the middle of the bone (requires surgery)

• Delayed union – it takes longer than usual to heal but does heal
• Nonunion – the bone does not heal and needs some special treatment
• Infection – is more likely to happen after an open fracture or surgery
• Nerve or artery damage – usually a result of a severe trauma
• Late arthritis – may happen if the surface of a joint is badly damaged

• Not putting yourself at risk for an accident or other trauma to the bone
• Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Regularly doing weight-bearing exercise to build and maintain strong bones
• Regularly doing strengthening exercises to build strong muscles and prevent falls