When a bone is fractured, the bone has separated. A fracture can be a complete break or a partial fracture, which means that part of the bone is still connected. It will result in a nonunion or a delayed union if it is not treated. A delayed union means that the bone will not heal and swelling and pain will continue. Fractures can heal as long as a doctor resets the bone. Delayed unions will take longer to heal, however. Even when a doctor resets the bone, issues can still arise. Most times, the bone can be restored to normal.