Ever heard someone say their bone is fractured, not broken? It might seem like just semantics, but is there really a difference? The short answer: not really!
In the medical world, "fracture" is the umbrella term. It simply means there's a disruption in the continuity of a bone. "Broken bone" is a common, everyday way to describe a fracture. So, a broken bone *is* a fracture, but not all fractures are necessarily what you might picture when you think of a "broken bone."
Fractures can range from tiny hairline cracks (stress fractures) to complete breaks where the bone is separated into two or more pieces (compound fractures). So, next time someone tells you they have a fracture, remember they're essentially saying their bone is broken – just using a slightly more technical term! Don't worry; treatment is usually the same, focusing on immobilization and healing.
