Bone Fractures: What Happens When a Bone Breaks, and How It Heals
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD. Last reviewed October 13, 2026. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.
Quick Answer
A bone fracture is the medical term for a broken bone [1], usually caused by falls, car accidents or sports injuries, or by repetitive motion. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, trouble moving and visible deformity [1]. Go to the emergency room and keep the part stable; call 911 after severe trauma [1]. Most people make a full recovery [1].
What the research says
Most fractures heal, but about 1 in 20 do not, and some bones and risk factors raise that odds. In a claims analysis of 309,330 fractures in 18 bones, the nonunion (failure to heal) rate was 4.9%. The scaphoid (a wrist bone), the tibia plus fibula (lower leg), and the femur were the bones most likely to fail to heal, and risk was higher with open fractures (odds ratio 1.66, 95% CI 1.55 to 1.77), diabetes (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.61), osteoporosis (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.34), and smoking (odds ratio 1.20, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.26) (Zura et al., JAMA Surg, 2016) [7].
Diabetes can make healing much harder. In 139 patients with diabetes who had an ankle fracture, followed for 1 year, 24.5% developed a nonunion, and dialysis (odds ratio 7.7), insulin use (odds ratio 3.3), corticosteroid use (odds ratio 4.9), and more severe fractures (bimalleolar or trimalleolar, odds ratio 2.5) were associated with nonunion (Lavery et al., J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, 2022) [8].
For spinal compression fractures from weak bones, smoking, drinking, diabetes, and high blood pressure raised the risk of not healing. In a study of 201 patients with nonunited osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and 1,044 patients whose fractures healed, bed rest and spinal support were protective, and the authors suggested at least 3 consecutive weeks of bed rest or spinal support to reduce the risk of nonunion (Liao et al., BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2024) [9].
What Is a Bone Fracture?
A bone fracture is the medical definition of a broken bone [1]. You will often see these two names used interchangeably. Bone fractures are a very common injury and can affect anyone at any age — anyone can break a bone.
Fractures are classified by their pattern, their cause, and where they happen in your body. Traumas like falls, car accidents, and sports injuries cause most fractures [1]. But some health conditions or repetitive motions, like running or doing physical work, can lead to broken bones, too.
You will need to wear a splint, cast, or brace to hold your broken bone stable while it heals. Some fractures need surgery to repair them [1].
Types of bone fractures
There are lots of different types of fractures, and healthcare providers classify them in a few ways.
Some fractures are named for their patterns — the shape of the break or what it looks like. Breaks in a straight line include oblique fractures and transverse fractures. Fractures with an uneven break line include greenstick fractures, comminuted fractures, segmental fractures, and spiral fractures [1].
Other fractures are classified by how they happened:
Fracture type | How it happens |
Stress fracture | A small crack in one of your bones |
Avulsion fracture | A piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament pulls away from the main part of the bone |
Buckle fracture | Sudden pressure, usually from falling, squeezes a child's bone out of place |
Compression fracture | Too much pressure on your spinal bones makes them break and collapse |
Providers also describe fractures as open or closed. In an open fracture, your bone breaks through your skin — these are sometimes called compound fractures. They usually take longer to heal and carry an increased risk of infections and other complications [1]. Closed fractures are still serious, but the bone does not push through the skin.
Another important distinction is displaced versus non-displaced. A displaced fracture means the pieces of your bone moved so much that a gap formed when the bone broke. Displaced fractures are much more likely to require surgery to repair [1]. Non-displaced fractures are still broken bones, but the pieces did not move far enough to be out of alignment.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of bone fractures include pain, swelling, and tenderness. You may not be able to move a body part like usual, and bruising or discoloration often appears. A deformity or bump you can see or feel is another telltale sign [1].
What Causes Bone Fractures?
Traumas are the most common cause of broken bones [1]. Anything that hits one of your bones with enough force can break it. The most common causes include car accidents, slips, trips or falls, and sports injuries.
It is also possible to fracture a bone without trauma or a single injury. Repetitive forces like running or practicing a sport put lots of pressure on your bones. Over time, this can cause stress fractures [1].
What raises your risk?
You are much more likely to break a bone if you have osteoporosis — especially common in females [1]. Talk to a healthcare provider about a bone density scan if you are over 65 [1].
Anyone can break a bone, but your work and hobbies can increase your risk. Repeating one movement or motion a lot can lead to overuse syndrome, raising the risk of breaks in your fingers, hands, and wrists [1]. Similarly, playing contact sports increases your overall fracture risk [1].
What complications can occur while a bone heals?
Broken bones can develop complications during healing. These include malunion (healing in the wrong position) and nonunion (failing to heal). Bone infections are more common in open fractures, and compartment syndrome can develop in the muscles around your broken bone [1].
The injuries that cause broken bones can damage other tissue, too. Muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels can all be injured [1]. The pieces of your broken bone can also damage tissue when they are pushed out of place.
How Are Broken Bones Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will diagnose a bone fracture with a physical exam and imaging tests [1]. In some cases, this happens in the emergency room if you are admitted after a trauma.
If you are taken to the ER, a team of providers will stabilize you and treat your injuries in order of severity [1] — especially if some are life-threatening. After you are stabilized, imaging tests confirm any fractures.
Imaging test | What it does |
X-rays | The standard test for pictures of your bones |
MRI | Detailed images using magnetic fields |
CT scan | Cross-sectional views of the bone and surrounding tissue |
Bone scans | Whole-body views to find fractures and bone problems |
How Are Bone Fractures Treated?
Treatment depends on which type of fracture it is, what caused it, and how damaged your bones are.
Treatment | How it works |
Immobilization | A splint or cast holds your bone in place while it heals; non-displaced fractures may only need this; splinting usually lasts three to five weeks, a cast typically six to eight weeks |
Closed reduction | A nonsurgical procedure where the provider physically pushes and pulls your body from the outside to line up the broken bone inside |
Surgery (open reduction and internal fixation) | Fasteners such as rods, pins, plates, wires, and screws hold the bone pieces together; some people keep them forever; follow-up surgery may remove them |
External fixation | Usually temporary stabilization before internal fixation surgery; screws in the bone on either side of the fracture connect to a brace or bracket outside your body |
Joint replacement | Used if a fracture severely damages the bones in a joint; the surgeon replaces some or all of the natural joint with artificial parts |
Bone grafts | For severely displaced fractures or bones that do not heal correctly; donor bone tissue is inserted to rejoin the fractured bone, followed by internal fixation while the bone regrows |
What Is the Outlook?
Most people who break a bone make a full recovery [1]. You should be able to resume all your usual activities after your bone heals. Some fractures can have a long-term impact on your life, especially if you experienced other injuries [1]. Talk to your surgeon or healthcare provider before resuming any physical activities or playing sports — they will tell you when it is safe to start using your bone normally.
How long does healing take?
Healing time depends on several factors: the cause, which bone is broken, the type of fracture, the treatments you need, and any other injuries you experienced. Depending on the type of immobilization or surgery, you should be able to start moving again in a few weeks. More severe fractures can take a year or more to heal [1].
Talk to your provider or surgeon about what to expect while you are recovering. Contact your provider right away if you experience intense pain that does not get better [1].
Can Bone Fractures Be Prevented?
Anyone can break a bone, but you can lower your risk. Since osteoporosis greatly raises fracture risk — especially in females — asking your healthcare provider about a bone density scan after age 65 is a smart step [1]. Being mindful of overuse from repetitive motions, using proper safety gear for sports and physical work, and managing conditions that weaken bones all help protect you.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Go to the emergency room if you think you have a broken bone, and keep the injured part stable and unused. Call 911 after severe trauma such as a car accident [1]. Contact your provider right away during recovery if you experience intense pain that does not improve [1]. Before resuming physical activities or sports, check with your surgeon or provider about when it is safe.
Conclusion
Bone fractures are common and scary, but they are highly treatable. From a simple splint for a non-displaced break to surgery with pins, plates, or joint replacement for severe injuries, modern care gives broken bones the stability they need to knit back together. The key is acting quickly — get to the emergency room, keep the injured part still, and follow your provider's guidance on healing. Most people make a full recovery [1] and return to their pre-injury routine, so give your body the time it needs and don't rush.
Know the warning signs — act fast. For more trusted, plain-language health guides, visit Rinnit.com — your everyday companion for clear answers on conditions, injuries, and staying healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bone fracture?
A bone fracture is the medical definition of a broken bone. The two names are used interchangeably, and fractures are classified by their pattern, cause, and where they happen in the body.
What are the most common symptoms of a broken bone?
Pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising or discoloration, trouble moving the injured part like usual, and a deformity or bump you can see or feel.
What causes most broken bones?
Trauma — anything that hits a bone with enough force. The most common causes are car accidents, slips, trips or falls, and sports injuries.
Can you break a bone without an injury?
Yes. Repetitive forces like running or practicing a sport put repeated pressure on bones. Over time, this can cause stress fractures — small cracks in the bone.
What is the difference between an open and closed fracture?
In an open (compound) fracture, the bone breaks through the skin; it takes longer to heal and carries a higher risk of infection and complications. In a closed fracture, the bone stays under the skin.
What does displaced mean?
A displaced fracture means the bone pieces moved enough to form a gap when the bone broke. These are much more likely to need surgery. In a non-displaced fracture, the pieces did not move far enough to be out of alignment.
Who is most at risk of breaking a bone?
Anyone, at any age — but osteoporosis greatly increases the risk, especially in females. Repetitive motions (overuse syndrome) and contact sports also raise the odds.
How is a broken bone diagnosed?
With a physical exam and imaging tests — usually X-rays, but MRI, CT scans, and bone scans may also be used. In the ER, providers stabilize and treat injuries in order of severity first.
What treatments are used for broken bones?
Immobilization with a splint or cast, closed reduction to realign the bone, surgery with internal fixation (rods, pins, plates, wires, screws), external fixation, joint replacement, and bone grafts — depending on the type and severity.
How long do I have to wear a splint or cast?
Splinting usually lasts three to five weeks. A cast typically lasts longer — usually six to eight weeks.
Do pins and plates stay in forever?
Sometimes. Some people live with the fasteners inserted forever, while others need follow-up surgeries to remove them.
What complications can happen while a bone heals?
Malunion (healing in the wrong position), nonunion (failing to heal), bone infections (more common in open fractures), and compartment syndrome in the surrounding muscles. Nearby muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels can also be damaged.
How long does a broken bone take to heal?
It depends on the cause, which bone is broken, the fracture type, the treatment, and other injuries. You can often start moving again in a few weeks; more severe fractures can take a year or more.
Will I fully recover from a broken bone?
Most people make a full recovery and return to their usual activities and pre-injury routine with no long-term impacts.
When should I contact my doctor during recovery?
Right away if you experience intense pain that does not get better, and always before resuming physical activities or sports — your provider will tell you when it is safe.
Related Reading
Casts for Broken Bones: Types, Care and Removal explains how casts protect healing bones and how to care for one.
Osteoporosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Explained: the bone-weakening condition that greatly raises fracture risk.
Learn more in our guide to X-Ray (Radiograph): What It Shows, How to Prepare and Is It Safe.
Fluoroscopy: What It Is, How It Works, Risks and What to Expect explains the real-time X-ray imaging used in many exams and procedures for this condition.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Bone Fractures (Broken Bones). Cleveland Clinic. Updated January 15, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Fractures (Broken Bones). OrthoInfo. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bones
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Internal Fixation for Fractures. OrthoInfo. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/internal-fixation-for-fractures
Campagne D. Overview of Fractures. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Updated May 2025. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/fractures/overview-of-fractures
MedlinePlus. Broken bone. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Reviewed January 14, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000001.htm
AO Foundation. Intramedullary nailing. AO Surgery Reference. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/orthopedic-trauma/adult-trauma/basic-technique/basic-principles-of-im-nailing
Zura R, et al. Epidemiology of fracture nonunion in 18 human bones. JAMA Surgery. 2016;151(11):e162775. PMID 27603155. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2775
Lavery LA, et al. Incidence of complications and risk factors for nonunion after ankle fracture in diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2022;112(5):20246. PMID 36251594. https://doi.org/10.7547/20-246
Liao S, et al. Risk factors for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a case-control study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2024;25(1):295. PMID 38627756. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07386-1
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any medical concern, and go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately after severe trauma or if you suspect a broken bone.
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