Which type of fracture involves more than one fragment of bone?

The type of fracture that involves more than one fragment of bone is known as a comminuted fracture. This classification refers specifically to a break in the bone that results in three or more pieces. Comminuted fractures are typically caused by high-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a significant height, where the force exerted on the bone exceeds its capability to withstand that force, leading to multiple fragments.

Understanding this type of fracture is essential, especially in medical contexts, as it may require more complex treatment approaches compared to other fracture types. For instance, repairs might involve surgical intervention such as the use of plates, screws, or rods to stabilize the bone fragments and allow for proper healing.

In contrast, other types of fractures mentioned—such as simple, greenstick, and pathologic—do not involve multiple fragments. A simple fracture describes a single break in the bone without any fragmentation; a greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture typically seen in children, where the bone bends and partially breaks; and a pathologic fracture occurs in a bone weakened by disease, such as cancer or osteoporosis. Each of these fracture types presents different challenges and implications for treatment and recovery, highlighting the uniqueness of the comminuted fracture in its complexity and