Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2004;291(17):2160. doi:10.1001/jama.291.17.2160.

A bone fracture is a break in a bone. The soft tissue surrounding the break may also be injured. Most bone fractures are the result of injuries from falls or vehicle crashes, but fractures can also be caused by certain diseases.

CAUSES OF BONE FRACTURES

Injuries from falls, sports, or vehicle crashes

Osteoporosis—weakening of the bones associated with aging

Tumors that grow on or near bones

Prolonged walking or running—sometimes called stress fractures

DESCRIPTIONS OF BONE FRACTURES

Simple—the bone is broken in one place.

Comminuted—the bone is broken in several places with at least 3 bone fragments.

Open—the skin is injured exposing the broken bone (also called "compound").

Closed—the skin is intact over the broken bone.

Undisplaced—the broken bone pieces are aligned.

Displaced—the broken bone pieces are not aligned

TREATING BONE FRACTURES

Casting—After the broken bones have been manipulated back into their proper positions, a plaster or fiberglass cast is applied to keep the bones from moving while they heal.

External fixation—Pins or wires are set into the bone through the skin above and below the fracture. These are connected to a ring or a bar outside the skin that holds the pins in place. After the bones have healed, the pins are removed.

Internal fixation—In a surgical procedure, metal rods, wires, or screws are inserted in the bone fragments to keep them together.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

800/346-AAOS (2267)
http://www.orthoinfo.aaos.org

National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center

800/624-BONE (2663)
http://www.osteo.org

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