What is the medical term for a broken bone?

A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. It means the continuity of a bone has been partially or completely disrupted. Fractures can result from a sudden impact, a fall, repeated stress, or a disease that weakens bone. Doctors assess the injury through examination and commonly use X-rays, with CT or MRI sometimes needed for added detail.

Fractures have many classifications. A closed fracture leaves the skin intact, while an open fracture communicates with a wound and carries a higher infection risk. A comminuted fracture breaks into several pieces; a transverse fracture runs across the bone, and a spiral fracture follows a twisting pattern. In children, a greenstick fracture may bend and crack the bone without breaking it completely.

A fracture is different from a dislocation, in which a joint’s bones are forced out of alignment. A sprain damages ligaments, while a contusion is a bruise. Osteoporosis can cause a pathologic fracture after relatively minor trauma because the bone has become less dense and mechanically weaker.