Which term describes a fracture with the bone exposed through the skin?

Which term describes a fracture with the bone exposed through the skin?

• A. Closed fracture
• B. Open fracture
• C. Comminuted fracture
• D. Greenstick fracture

Answer: (B)

Open fracture describes a fracture where the bone communicates with the outside world by breaking the skin, exposing bone and soft tissues. This skin breach makes it more dangerous than a closed fracture because contaminants can enter the wound, increasing infection risk. Management typically involves prompt wound cleaning and debridement, antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis, and stabilization of the fracture. A closed fracture has no skin opening, a comminuted fracture means the bone breaks into several pieces, and a greenstick fracture is an incomplete bend/crack, usually in a child, with no extensive skin injury.

Open fracture describes a fracture where the bone communicates with the outside world by breaking the skin, exposing bone and soft tissues. This skin breach makes it more dangerous than a closed fracture because contaminants can enter the wound, increasing infection risk. Management typically involves prompt wound cleaning and debridement, antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis, and stabilization of the fracture. A closed fracture has no skin opening, a comminuted fracture means the bone breaks into several pieces, and a greenstick fracture is an incomplete bend/crack, usually in a child, with no extensive skin injury.