fracture: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

$Medical illustration of a long bone showing six types of fractures: impacted, spiral, transverse, oblique, complete, and comminuted, each labeled and visually differentiated along the bone.$

$Side-by-side illustration showing a simple fracture with a clean break in the bone and a compound fracture where the bone breaks and pierces through the skin.$

A doctor wearing gloves applies a blue plaster cast to a woman's broken hand and wrist.

See All Images →

Topics

stress fracture incomplete fracture comminuted fracture complete fracture compound fracture simple fracture pathological fracture impacted fracture hip fracture fracture–dislocation laceration dislocation abrasion sprain bruise whiplash burn spinal cord injury avascular necrosis traumatic brain injury

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

A Yorkshire terrier dressed up as a veterinarian or doctor on a white background. (dogs)

A Visit with the Word Doctor: Medical Vocabulary Quiz

44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes