There are several terms you might hear from medical professionals as they assess your injuries after a vehicle crash:
Greenstick fracture is used for a bone that has been bent or cracked but not completely broken. These injuries are common in children as their bones are still flexible.
Stable break means that both ends of the broken bone are relatively close together and remain in alignment.
Compound break, also called an open fracture or compound fracture, is when one or more bones have pierced the skin. This injury presents greater potential for complications, as infection is a serious concern in addition to the break itself.
Comminuted break means that a bone is broken in multiple locations.
Impacted break is when the ends of a broken bone have been forced together. The impact could cause enough damage to the bone ends that surgery is required to realign the bone for proper healing.