What Is a Fracture?

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

  • Open fracture (also called compound fracture) - The bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
  • Closed fracture (also called simple fracture) - The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.
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