Compound fracture

A compound fracture, also called an open fracture, is a broken bone where the bone fragment punctures through the skin, or where the injury creates a wound deep enough to expose the bone. This is different from a closed fracture, where the skin stays intact. Compound fractures usually happen from high-force trauma like a car accident, a bad fall, or a serious sports injury.

Because the skin is broken, there's a real risk of infection getting into the bone or surrounding tissue, so these injuries are treated as emergencies. Treatment typically involves cleaning the wound thoroughly, antibiotics, and surgery to stabilize the bone using methods like external fixation, internal fixation, or an intramedullary nail. The exact approach depends on the bone involved and how severe the injury is.

Healing takes longer than with a closed fracture because of the extra tissue damage and infection risk. Your care team will guide decisions about surgery, weight-bearing status, and rehabilitation. If you have osteoporosis or low bone density, a fall that might cause a simple bruise in someone with strong bones could potentially lead to a more serious break, which is one reason fall prevention and bone health both matter as we age.