The term fracture refers to a break in the bone, which may occur part way or all the way across a bone. An 'open' fracture is when the broken end of a bone, which is often sharp, has penetrated the skin.
Most fractures occur as a result of an accident.
In children, the bones are growing and are comparatively soft. If a child has an accident, the bones are able to bend to some degree to absorb the impact, although this does not occur if the force is too great. In adults, the bones are strengthened by the addition of calcium and are therefore more resistant to breakages. Elderly people are at much greater risk of fractures because their bones lose calcium and become more brittle. Certain conditions increase the likelihood of a person developing a fracture.