A fracture is a break in the bone. Fractures vary in severity depending on the amount of force the bone is subjected to when the fracture occurs and how the bone breaks. There are many different types of fracture, including:
- Stable fracture – a clean break where the broken ends of bone line up, helping to facilitate healing.
- Open, compound fractures – these have broken skin through which the bone may or may not protrude. There is a greater risk of infection when there is an open wound.
- Comminuted fractures – the bone shatters into three pieces or more.
- Oblique fractures – characterised by an angled break in the bone.
- Transverse fractures – horizontal breaks in the bone.
- Hairline fracture (also called a stress fracture) – a crack or severe bruise in the bone caused by overuse or repetitive actions that result in microscopic damage. If you don’t rest sufficiency between workouts, you are at greater risk of stress fractures.