The human skeleton is quite an impressive feat of architecture: Our bones, though lightweight, are as strong as the reinforced concrete in a man-made bridge. But if too much force is applied—in a fall or car accident, for instance— those bones can split or break, resulting in a fracture.

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A broken bone leads to swelling, pain, bruising, and a misshapen or out-of-place limb or joint. The person can’t apply pressure to the injured area and often can’t move it without feeling extreme pain. A physician can diagnose the break by taking an x-ray or an other imaging test. There are three common types of fractures. In a closed, or simple, fracture, the skin around the bone isn’t broken. An open, or compound, fracture occurs when the bone is part of an open wound, which raises the risk of infection. Lastly, stress fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive movements that put pressure on the bone, such as running.

Treatment for a fracture depends on the severity of the break, as well the patient’s age. Stress fractures, which can heal on their own, may require only rest, ice packs, and painkillers. Closed and open fractures, however, may call for a sling or cast to reset the bone. In severe cases, devices such as screws, rods, or plates may be needed to replace lost bone or hold the bone in place as it heals. This act of bone setting can be traced throughout history: As far back as 10,000 BC, ancient Egyptians formed splints from tree bark wrapped in linen. Blacksmiths in medieval Europe made casts out of egg whites, flour, and animal fat. Thankfully, today’s casts are fabricated from plaster or fiberglass.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. A full break is called a complete fracture, while a partial one is called an incomplete fracture or greenstick.
  2. Certain conditions, such as osteoporosis and other bone diseases, can increase the likelihood of fractures.