A "bone fracture" and a "broken bone" are interchangeable. Neither one is worse than the other. A bone fracture occurs when excessive force is applied to the bone. It can crack, shatter, or break depending on the level and even angle of the force. Any bone in the body can fracture; however, the most common broken bones we see at our two urgent care locations in Oklahoma City occur in the arm, wrist, ankle, or collarbone. Not all bone fractures are alike or the same. A different type of break requires different kinds of treatments. There are numerous types of broken bones in the medical field, but the most common we see at our walk-in urgent care center in OKC include: Stress fracture: Small cracks will develop in the bone after repeated motions over time. Simple fracture: Also known as a closed fracture, the bone is broken but the surrounding tissue, including muscles, ligaments, and skin remain intact. Compound fracture: Also known as an open fracture, a piece of the bone will break the skin and is visible. In many cases, this is a very severe injury and involves massive bleeding. A compound fracture requires attention from a hospital emergency room. Greenstick: This type of bone fracture is more common in children, whose bones are still growing and a little more pliable. This bone break is only on one side and causes the bone to bend.