National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Fractures is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.
Symptoms of a fracture are
You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)