The location and severity of the break can cause other complications aside from the extreme pain that typically accompanies a bone fracture. A compound fracture is an open wound that requires immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of osteomyelitis – an infection within the bone.
Tissues and blood vessels surrounding a compound fracture may also become damaged permanently. Pathologic fractures that result from conditions like osteoporosis weaken the skeletal system, and individuals with these diseases must exercise caution when engaging in everyday physical activities.