What is a comminuted fracture?

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the bone being splintered or crushed into multiple fragments, which distinguishes it from other types of fractures. This type of fracture typically occurs from high-impact trauma, such as in automobile accidents or severe falls, where the force exerted on the bone is significant enough to break it into several pieces. The complexity of a comminuted fracture can complicate treatment and healing, requiring careful management to ensure proper alignment and healing of the bone fragments.

The other choices involve different concepts; for instance, degenerative joint disease refers to the deterioration of joint cartilage and does not relate to bone fractures. A fracture that includes multiple breaks is somewhat similar but does not specifically emphasize the splintering or crushing nature of a comminuted fracture. Lastly, a fracture that does not penetrate the skin describes a closed fracture, which is a different classification entirely and does not capture the complexity seen in comminuted fractures.