Fractures or broken bones are characterized in numerous ways. Although broken bone is the more colloquial, less used term in the medical community, it essentially means the same thing as fracture. When a person has a fracture, there has been damage to the bone, and this could include the bone breaking into two or more pieces or cracking so that a visible "break" can be seen on x-rays. Sometimes these breaks are classified as a closed fracture or an open fracture.
It is very easy to understand the difference between these two classes. An open fracture not only damages the bones but also breaks the skin. This is a medical emergency due to the possibility of infection and the need in most cases for surgery to replace the bone and close any wounds caused by the bone fracture. There are many potential treatments for an open fracture depending on its location, but in most cases, surgery and antibiotics are needed right away to minimize the chance of infection and promote bone healing.
In contrast to this is the closed fracture. This is when breakage of the bone lesion occurs, but the breakage does not result in skin breakdown. This may still be medically urgent depending on the area of the fracture. A fractured head or pelvis is extremely serious even when the skin remains intact.
A minor closed fracture in an arm, wrist, or perhaps a collarbone needs immediate attention, but would not necessarily require calling emergency services unless other serious injuries were present or help was not available. It's a court decision, but many people can wait a few moments and, with help, head to the emergency room, urgent care center, or doctor's office to get a diagnosis of what appears to be a very minor closed fracture . If a fracture is suspected, most people should not drive to either of these locations, as the chance of pain shock is high.
In some cases, a closed fracture can be just as potentially dangerous as an open one. Moving the area that is damaged could cause serious damage to the tissues under the skin, and without a doubt, these breaks can be extremely painful. People are advised not to ask people with a suspected fracture to move the area that may be injured. Instead, the best practice is to keep the area of injury as still as possible. This can be done by splinting to immobilize a broken bone, or by providing a sling.
One of the best ways to learn how to treat a closed fracture while waiting for medical attention is to take a first aid class. This can teach people how to manage fractures in different areas of the body. Since broken bones are not that uncommon in many settings, such information could be very helpful.
While first aid care is important, a closed fracture still requires more expert medical care. Physicians must identify the area of fracture, the bones may require resetting, and a decision on treatment must be made. Treatment can be very different depending on the type of fracture present, the degree of damage, and the area where the damage occurred. This tends to be individualized to the injury, and especially because the fracture is closed, the course of treatment is not always predictable until after diagnostic radiographs have been taken.