Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Types and Severity
How to Tell
Describing Pain
Healing Timeline
Complications
Physical Therapy
A fracture, commonly known as a broken bone, occurs when a bone is subjected to more force than it can withstand. There are numerous types of fractures, each classified based on the nature and extent of the break. Understanding the different fracture types, their causes, risk factors, and healing times can aid in better management and recovery.
Read on to discover the most common fracture classifications and what to expect during the healing process.
What Exactly Does a Fracture Mean?
A fracture means that a bone has been broken, either partially or completely, due to excessive force or stress.
Fractures vary in severity, from minor hairline cracks to severe breaks that go through the skin, each requiring different levels of treatment and care. Here are some of the different types of fractures:
Hairline Fracture
A hairline fracture, or stress fracture, is a small crack in the bone that often results from repetitive stress or overuse. It typically heals with rest and may take several weeks to a few months to fully recover.
Greenstick Fracture
Common in children, a greenstick fracture occurs when the bone bends and cracks on one side but does not break completely. Treatment usually involves immobilization, and healing can take a few months.
Closed Fracture
A closed fracture, also known as a simple fracture, is a break in the bone that does not penetrate the skin.These fractures can vary in severity but generally heal within a few months with proper immobilization and care.
Open Fracture
An open fracture, also known as a compound fracture, occurs when the broken bone penetrates the skin, creating an external wound.This type of fracture poses a higher risk of infection due to exposure to external contaminants and often requires surgical intervention for proper cleaning, alignment, and stabilization of the bone.
Displaced/Unstable Fracture
A displaced or unstable fracture happens when the broken bone ends are out of alignment,requiring more complex treatment, often including surgery. The healing time can extend to several months, depending on the severity and the need for surgical intervention.
Nondisplaced/Stable Fracture
A nondisplaced fracture is when the bone cracks or breaks but maintains its proper alignment and the ends remain aligned. The surrounding soft tissues are typically minimally disrupted.Treatment typically involves casting or splinting, with a healing period of a few months.
Comminuted Fracture
A comminuted fracture is a severe type of break in which the bone shatters into two or more places.This type often necessitates surgery and more extensive rehabilitation.
Spiral Fracture
A spiral fracture occurs when one end of a bone remains in place while the other end is in motion. The force results in a twisting or spiral break in the bone. This type of fracture can be complicated to heal and require several months for a full recovery.
How Do You Know You Have a Fracture?
Diagnostic tests to determine if you have a fracture include:
If you suspect a fracture, seeking medical attention promptly for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial. The most common signs and symptoms of a fracture are:
Accident-Related Causes
Accident-related causes of fractures typically involve sudden, forceful impacts or traumatic events. Here are some common scenarios:
Prompt medical evaluation is essential following any of these incidents to assess for potential fractures and ensure proper treatment.
Condition-Related Causes
Condition-related causes of fractures are typically associated with underlying health issues that weaken the bones or make them more susceptible to breaking. Some common condition-related causes are:
Managing these underlying conditions through appropriate medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the risk of fractures.
Can Obesity Increase Your Risk of Fractures?
Other Risk Factors
Several additional risk factors can increase the likelihood of fractures, including:
Addressing these risk factors through lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and preventive measures can help reduce the likelihood of fractures.
Describing Fracture Pain
If you suspect a fracture, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Healing From a Fracture
Healing from a fracture is a gradual process that involves various stages of recovery and rehabilitation. The form of treatment will depend on the type of fracture you have.
Nonsurgical Treatment
The primary treatment for a fracture typically involves wearing a cast or splint, which immobilizes the bone during the healing process. The duration of wearing the cast or splint varies based on the fracture type and the affected bone, often spanning several weeks. Your healthcare provider will determine when it’s appropriate to remove the cast or splint.
Surgical Treatment
In certain situations, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the bone using plates, pins, or screws.
Treatments may include:
Healing Time
The healing time for a fracture can vary widely depending on factors such as the type and location of the fracture, the individual’s overall health, and the treatment received. In general, most fractures take several weeks to several months to heal completely. Simple fractures may heal in about six to eight weeks, while more complex or severe fractures may require longer healing times, sometimes up to several months.
It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for recovery and rehabilitation to promote optimal healing and prevent complications.
Fracture Healing Complications
While the majority of bone injuries follow a normal healing trajectory, a subset of patients may encounter complications throughout the recovery period. These complications can be categorized into two groups: early and delayed.
Early complications include:
Delayed complications include:
Physical Therapy After Fracture
A physical therapist (PT) focuses on restoring physical function and mobility through exercises and therapies after an injury or condition like a fracture. PTs help treat fracture pain and discomfort in several ways, including:
A PT can create a supervised program of exercises to help strengthen the body during healing. The goal of physical therapy is to help patients regain independence in daily activities and prevent future complications related to the fracture.
After a fracture, it’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance and any recommendations from your physical therapist regarding movement and daily activities. They can provide tailored advice on exercises, limitations, and gradual progression to help you regain mobility safely and prevent further injury during the healing process.
Summary
Fractures are common injuries that require proper diagnosis and treatment for optimal recovery. Understanding the types, causes, and healing process of fractures empowers individuals to take proactive steps toward their recovery and prevent potential complications. Remember to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance to regain mobility safely after a fracture.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Fractures.Physiopedia.Fracture complications.KidsHealth.org.Stress fractures.KidsHealth.org.Greenstick fractures. January 2024.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Open fractures. May 2023.Physiopedia.Fracture.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones). August 2021.The Hand and Wrist Institute.Displaced vs non-displaced fractures.KidsHealth.org.Comminuted fractures. January 2024.The University of Texas Medical Branch.Fractures.Mujoomdar M, Russell E, Dionne F,et al.Optimizing health system use of medical isotopes and other imaging modalities.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2012.Penn Medicine.What is a bone fracture?1/1/2022.Osteoporosis.ca.Medical conditions that can cause bone loss, falls and/or fractures.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis. December 2022.American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).UCLA Health.Fractures take time to heal, especially with osteoporosis.Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.Recovering from fractures.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Fractures.Physiopedia.Fracture complications.KidsHealth.org.Stress fractures.KidsHealth.org.Greenstick fractures. January 2024.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Open fractures. May 2023.Physiopedia.Fracture.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones). August 2021.The Hand and Wrist Institute.Displaced vs non-displaced fractures.KidsHealth.org.Comminuted fractures. January 2024.The University of Texas Medical Branch.Fractures.Mujoomdar M, Russell E, Dionne F,et al.Optimizing health system use of medical isotopes and other imaging modalities.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2012.Penn Medicine.What is a bone fracture?1/1/2022.Osteoporosis.ca.Medical conditions that can cause bone loss, falls and/or fractures.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis. December 2022.American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).UCLA Health.Fractures take time to heal, especially with osteoporosis.Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.Recovering from fractures.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Fractures.Physiopedia.Fracture complications.KidsHealth.org.Stress fractures.KidsHealth.org.Greenstick fractures. January 2024.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Open fractures. May 2023.Physiopedia.Fracture.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones). August 2021.The Hand and Wrist Institute.Displaced vs non-displaced fractures.KidsHealth.org.Comminuted fractures. January 2024.The University of Texas Medical Branch.Fractures.Mujoomdar M, Russell E, Dionne F,et al.Optimizing health system use of medical isotopes and other imaging modalities.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2012.Penn Medicine.What is a bone fracture?1/1/2022.Osteoporosis.ca.Medical conditions that can cause bone loss, falls and/or fractures.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis. December 2022.American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).UCLA Health.Fractures take time to heal, especially with osteoporosis.Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.Recovering from fractures.
MedlinePlus.Fractures.
Physiopedia.Fracture complications.
KidsHealth.org.Stress fractures.
KidsHealth.org.Greenstick fractures. January 2024.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Open fractures. May 2023.
Physiopedia.Fracture.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones). August 2021.
The Hand and Wrist Institute.Displaced vs non-displaced fractures.
KidsHealth.org.Comminuted fractures. January 2024.
The University of Texas Medical Branch.Fractures.
Mujoomdar M, Russell E, Dionne F,et al.Optimizing health system use of medical isotopes and other imaging modalities.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2012.
Penn Medicine.What is a bone fracture?1/1/2022.
Osteoporosis.ca.Medical conditions that can cause bone loss, falls and/or fractures.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoporosis. December 2022.
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Smoking and musculoskeletal health.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).
UCLA Health.Fractures take time to heal, especially with osteoporosis.
Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.Recovering from fractures.
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