What is a fracture?

Summary

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.

The body can repair most fractures, but medical intervention will usually be necessary to keep the
broken bones in place. These interventions can range from external casts and splints to surgical screws
and plates.

However, a fracture may also be the result of some medical conditions that weaken the bones. These
include osteoporosis and some types of cancer. The medical term for these is a pathological fracture.