Fractures and Breaks - what's the difference? (2024)

FAQs

Fractures and Breaks - what's the difference? ›

Bone fractures and broken bones are the same injury and mean the same thing. You might see them used interchangeably. A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone, so your healthcare provider will probably refer to your broken bone as a certain type of fracture after they diagnose it.

The words fracture and break mean the same thing. People often confuse a simple fracture with a complex fracture. A simple fracture is a bone that is broken in two pieces while a complex fracture is broken into more than two pieces.

Unless the bone is actually poking through your skin, you need an X-ray to determine that you've sustained a fractured bone. If the fracture is severe, you may also need an MRI or CAT scan to rule out damage to other structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscle.

A spinal fracture is when a bone in your spine becomes compressed or squashed after losing strength. You may also hear this called a vertebral or compression fracture. It's not the same as a broken back, and it won't cause you to become paralysed. A spinal fracture takes between six and 12 weeks to heal.

The femur is often put at the top of the most painful bones to break. Your femur is the longest and strongest bone in your body, running from your hip to your knee. Given its importance, it's not surprising that breaking this bone is an incredibly painful experience, especially with the constant weight being put on it.

Broken bones happen all the time, and sometimes people even suffer fractures. The terms “fracture” and “broken” are both scary when it comes to bones. While one isn't necessarily worse than the other, they can both be painful, dangerous, and a cause to worry.

No matter how mild or severe the fracture that has been sustained, the new bone that is required to heal the break will grow at the same rate. That's typically six to eight weeks. Although the initial pain of your injury has likely abated, it's important to understand that healing is still taking place.

A fracture refers to an injury or break to the bones. There are many types of fractures, ranging from small hairline fractures to traumatic bone breaks. Although minor fractures can heal on their own, more serious fractures will require surgery.

Your ability to walk and move with a fracture in your lower leg depends on which bone is broken, what type of fracture it is and what kind of trauma caused the break. Your fibula isn't weight bearing (it doesn't support your body when you stand or move), so some people can walk with a fracture.

Sometimes, kids get small fractures and don't even know it. Other times, your body may be in shock so you don't feel anything at all--at first. But usually a broken bone means a deep, intense ache. And depending on the break, you may feel sharp pain, too.

What is the best pain relief for a fractured vertebrae? ›

Depending on your level of pain, doctors may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, or pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen. If pain persists, our specialists may prescribe a stronger pain reliever.

Lying on your back, placing a pillow under your knees. This isn't just about comfort—it's a strategic move to preserve your spine's natural curve and mitigate stress on the fractured site.

C1 and C2 Vertebrae Breaks, Fractures, and Misalignments

Atlas C1 and axis C2 injuries are the most severe because damage to the spinal cord at any level has potential to remove communication to the rest of the body below that point.

The scaphoid is the most difficult bone in the body to get to heal due to its bad blood supply, location inside a joint, and heavy stresses applied by the neighboring bones. If a scaphoid fracture has 1 mm displacement, the chance of it not healing in a cast is 40%.

When it comes to large or heavy bones like the femur (thigh-bone) and tibia (shin-bone), it could take as long as 20 weeks (5 months). Age, general health and overall bone health also affect the healing time.

A fracture refers to an injury or break to the bones. There are many types of fractures, ranging from small hairline fractures to traumatic bone breaks. Although minor fractures can heal on their own, more serious fractures will require surgery.

The type of treatment a doctor recommends for a fracture depends on the fracture type and severity. Cast treatment for a fracture is the most common option. You might also need traction, which realigns the bone around the break.

Several ways to stabilize broken bones without surgery include casts, braces, and slings. If surgery is required to reposition bone fragments, a doctor may use metal screws, rods, and plates to accomplish this. The majority of broken bones heal normally when a doctor stabilizes them.

A fracture can also be called a broken bone, a cracked bone, or a chipped bone. A bone may be completely fractured where the break/crack is all the way through the bone creating two separate pieces.