What is the term for a fracture that breaks the bone into several pieces?

A fracture that breaks the bone into several pieces is known as a comminuted fracture. This type of fracture occurs when the bone shatters into three or more fragments, which can complicate the healing process and often requires more intricate treatment methods, such as surgery or the use of plates and screws to stabilize the bone fragments.

In contrast, other types of fractures refer to different mechanisms of injury or bone damage. A complete fracture refers to a break that goes completely through the bone, which may or may not involve multiple fragments. A transverse fracture is characterized by a horizontal break across the bone, while a greenstick fracture is one that occurs in children, where the bone bends and cracks partially, rather than breaking fully through. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in accurately diagnosing and treating fractures in a clinical setting.