What is a 'fracture'?

What is a 'fracture'?

Gary Brazina (Sports Medicine Physician) gives expert video advice on: What is an 'acute' injury?; What is an 'overuse' injury?; What is a 'fracture'? and more...

A fracture is a broken bone. Commonly, people say, "Oh, I didn't fracture it, I broke my bone." By definition, a fracture means the bone is broken, the cortex of the bone is broken. There are different types of fractures, and often they accompany a dislocation, such as <a href="http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/shoulder-and-upper-arm-injuries-2/what-is-the-treatment-for-a-dislocated-shoulder">dislocated shoulder</a>. There can be open fractures, which means the skin is broken. There are complex fractures, which means there are multiple parts to the fracture and multiple fragments.