Fractures A fracture is a break in a bone, usually from a sudden injury involving extreme force to the bone. A fracture may be open, with the broken bone sticking through the skin, or closed, with the break hidden from view.
Open fractures are more serious due to blood loss and possible infection.
Elderly people are especially prone to suffer bone fractures, because they fall more often and have more brittle bones. Fractures may not only result from a fall, a sports injury, or an automobile accident. But, may also occur when a bone is repeatedly stressed. This might occur, for example, due to the repeated stress on a bone caused by prolonged running. Anytime a fracture is suspected, the injured person should have a medical evaluation.