You are in Medical Library . Government Agencies Fractures A fracture is a break in a bone.
Compound fractures involve penetration to the skin, which increases infection risk.
A broken bone is usually treated by returning it to the normal position and then holding it in place. This can be done externally, with a plaster or fiberglass cast, or internally with metal pins, screws, or other hardware. This allows the normal process of healing to take place over a period of weeks to months. The materials in this section have been chosen to provide a solid introduction to your health condition. They explain anatomy and physiology, give descriptive overviews of the disease, and include a glossary of the medical terms you will come across in the rest of your report.