Journal of Bone Research
Open Access

Fractures

A bone fracture is a medical condition where the continuity of the bone is broken. A significant percentage of bone fractures occur because of high force impact or stress.

However, a fracture may also be the result of some medical conditions which weaken the bones, for example osteoporosis, some cancers, or osteogenesis imperfecta (also known as brittle bone diseases). A fracture caused by a medical condition is known as a pathological fracture.

The word “break” is commonly used by lay (non-professional) people. Among doctors, especially bone specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons, “break” is a much less common term when talking about bones.

A crack (not only a break) in the bone is also known as a fracture. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body. There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture; for example, a break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin is known as a closed fracture.