There are several types of fractures. Bones can either break completely or partially. Complete bone breaks are categorized as:

• Closed fracture. Fracture that does not lacerate the skin.
  
  
• Open fracture. Also known as a compound fracture, it is a break in which the ends of the broken bone lacerate the skin. In some cases, the blow or injury that caused the break may be responsible for the laceration. The bone may or may not be visible in an open fracture. There is an increased risk of infection with these fractures.
  
  
• Nondisplaced fracture. Fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break line up.
  
  
• Displaced fracture. Fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break do not line up. The bones of displaced fractures may require surgery to make sure they are properly aligned before casting, or may need reduction.
  
  
• Transverse fracture. Fracture at right angles to the long axis of the bone.
  
  

  

There are several types of partial fractures that may occur. These include:

• Hairline fracture. Thin break in the bone.
  
  
• Single fracture. Bone that is broken in one place.
  
  
• Segmental fracture. Bone that is broken in two or more places.
  
  
• Comminuted fracture. Bone that is broken into more than two pieces or crushed.
  
  
• Stress fracture. Breaks in bone caused by unusual or repeated stress.
  
  
• Spiral fracture. Bone that is broken through twisting, causing a fracture that follows a spiral line.
  
  
• Compression fracture. Breaking of vertebrae by pressure along the vertebral column, often involving osteoporosis.
  
  
• Avulsion fracture. Bone that is broken due to a ligament or tendon that is attached to the bone, pulling away part of the bone.
  
  
• Intraosseous fracture. Also known as a bone bruise or bone contusion, a condition in which traumatic impact causes bone pain, tenderness, swelling of soft tissues and possibly microfractures.

Finally, there are two types of fractures that are more likely to occur in children. Children’s bones are more likely to bend than to break because their bones are softer than adults. They are:

• Buckle or torus fracture. One side of the bone bends – creating a raised “buckle” – without breaking the other side.
  
  
• Greenstick fracture. Partial fracture in which one side of the bone is broken and the other side bends.

Children also are vulnerable to fractures that damage the growth plates at the end of bones that regulate bone growth. If growth plates do not heal properly after a fracture, the bone may grow at an angle or grow more slowly than normal. For this reason, pediatricians closely monitor fractures in children to ensure that no damage to the growth plate has occurred.