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- Dictionaryfracture/ˈfraktʃə/
noun
- 1. the cracking or breaking of a hard object or material: "ground movements could cause fracture of the pipe" Similar
- 2. the replacement of a simple vowel by a diphthong owing to the influence of a following sound, typically a consonant.
verb
- 1. break or cause to break: "the stone has fractured"
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What does a fracture look like?
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Learn the meaning of fracture as a verb and a noun, with examples of usage and synonyms. Find out how fracture can refer to a break or crack in something hard, especially a bone, or to a division of an organization or society.
- Overview
- What is a bone fracture?
- Types
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Complications
- Prevention
- Summary
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A bone fracture is a crack or break in a bone. Bone fractures usually result from a high force impact or stress. People with osteoporosis or bone cancer may experience a fracture with very little impact.
A fracture that results from a medical condition that weakens the bones is called a pathological fracture.
A bone fracture is a full or partial break in the continuity of bone tissue. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body.
There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture. For example, a closed fracture is a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin.
There are a number of other fracture types, including:
•Avulsion fracture: A muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it.
•Comminuted fracture: An impact shatters the bone into many pieces.
•Compression, or crush, fracture: This generally occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the spine may collapse due to osteoporosis.
•Fracture dislocation: This occurs when a joint dislocates, and one of the bones of the joint fractures.
•Greenstick fracture: The bone partly fractures on one side but does not break completely, because the rest of the bone can bend.
Symptoms of a fracture vary depending on its location, a person’s age and general health, and the severity of the injury.
However, people with a bone fracture will typically experience some of the following:
•pain
•swelling
•bruising
•discolored skin around the affected area
Healthy bones are extremely resilient and can withstand surprisingly powerful impacts. However, under enough force, they may crack or break.
Physical trauma, overuse, and health conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, are the leading causes of bone fractures. Other factors can also increase an individual’s risk of sustaining fractures.
A doctor will inquire about the circumstances that led to a person’s fracture. They will then carry out a physical examination to reach a diagnosis.
Often, they will order an X-ray, and in some cases, an MRI or CT scan, to fully assess the fracture.
Bone healing is a natural process that, in most cases, will occur naturally. Therefore, treatment typically focuses on providing the injured bone with the best circumstances for healing, and ensuring optimal future function.
For the natural healing process to begin, a doctor will reduce the fracture. This involves lining up the ends of the broken bones. In smaller fractures, a doctor can do this by manipulating the affected area externally. However, in some instances, this may require surgery.
Once a medical professional has aligned the fracture, they will ensure it stays in place. Methods of doing so include:
•casts or braces
While bone fractures typically heal well with appropriate treatment, there can be complications, such as:
•Bone heals in the wrong position: A fracture may heal in the wrong position, or the bones may shift during the healing process.
•Disruption of bone growth: If a childhood bone fracture becomes disrupted during healing, this may affect the typical development of that bone. This can raise the risk of future deformity in the bone.
•Bone or bone marrow infection: In a compound fracture, bacteria can enter through a break in the skin and infect the bone or bone marrow. This can become a persistent infection.
A person can reduce their risk of bone fractures through a number of remedies and lifestyle changes.
A person’s diet can affect their risk of fractures. The human body needs adequate supplies of calcium for healthy bones. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium.
The body also requires vitamin D to absorb calcium. Exposure to sunlight and eating eggs and oily fish are good ways of getting vitamin D.
Engaging in weight-bearing exercise can help improve muscle mass and bone density. Both of these can reduce the risk of bone fractures.
Research has shown that regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce the risk of a fracture in people with osteoporosis.
Moreover, levels of estrogen, which plays a role in bone health, drop substantially during menopause. This makes calcium regulation more difficult and increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
A fracture is a break in the continuity of a bone. Fractures range from small partial cracks to complete breaks and can occur in any bone.
Physical trauma, overuse, and conditions such as osteoporosis are the most common causes of fractures. Additionally, a person’s bones typically become weaker through late adulthood. This increases their risk of fracturing a bone.
A fracture is a crack or break in a bone that can result from trauma, overuse, or health conditions. Learn about the different types of fractures, how to diagnose and treat them, and how to prevent them.
Jul 8, 2017 · A fracture is a broken bone that can range from a thin crack to a complete break. Learn about the symptoms, types, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fractures.
Jun 13, 2024 · A fracture means that a bone has been broken, either partially or completely, due to excessive force or stress. This break can occur in various ways, resulting in different types of fractures such as hairline fractures, open fractures, or bones shattered into multiple pieces.
Sep 1, 2022 · A bone fracture is a medical term for a broken bone caused by a traumatic force. Learn about the different types, causes, symptoms and treatments of bone fractures and how to prevent them.
Learn the meaning of fracture as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how to use fracture in a sentence and see related phrases and entries.
noun. the breaking of a bone, cartilage, or the like, or the resulting condition. Compare comminuted fracture, complete fracture, compound fracture, greenstick fracture, simple fracture. the act of breaking; state of being broken. a break, breach, or split.
