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Common Types of Fractures

Bones can break anywhere in the body. There are many types of bone breaks (fractures). The goal of treatment is to:

  • Put the pieces of bone back in place

  • Control the pain

  • Give the bone time to heal

  • Prevent problems

  • Help you be able to use the broken bone area normally once it's healed

Treatment may include a splint or cast, medicine, traction, surgery, or external fixation.

How bones break

Fractures most often happen when more force is put on the bone than the bone can take. Bone fractures can be caused by a fall, injury, or direct hit or kick to the body. Overuse or repetitive movements can tire muscles and put more pressure on the bone. This causes stress fractures. Fractures can also be caused by diseases that weaken the bone. Depending on the injury, bones can break in different ways.

A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. When a fracture happens, it’s classified as either closed or open.

Closed fracture

The bone does not break through the skin. Also known as a simple fracture.

Upper arm bone showing a closed fracture.

Open fracture

The bone breaks through the skin. Also known as a compound fracture.

Upper arm bone showing open fracture.

Other types of fractures

Fractures have many names. Below are some common types of fractures. You may have a fracture that’s not listed here.

Non-displaced fracture

Bone fragments (pieces) are lined up.

Upper arm bone showing nondisplaced fracture.

Displaced fracture

Bone fragments are not lined up. A gap exists between both ends of the broken bone.

Upper arm bone showing a displaced fracture.

Comminuted fracture

The bone is broken into 3 or more pieces.

Upper arm bone showing comminuted fracture.

Segmental fracture

The same bone is broken in 2 places, so there is a floating piece of bone.

Upper arm bone showing a segmental fracture.

Greenstick fracture

The bone bends, but it may not break all the way. This happens most often in children, whose bones are softer and still growing.

Lower arm bones showing greenstick fracture of wrist.

Compression fracture

The bone is crushed. This causes the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.

Side view of compression fracture in the spine.

Avulsion fracture

The bone is broken near a tendon or ligament. A tendon or ligament pulls off a small piece of bone.

Side view of finger with avulsion fracture.

Spiral fracture

The break spirals around the bone. This is common in a twisting injury.

Front view of a spiral fracture in the shin.

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