What is a fracture that creates bone fragments called?

A fracture that produces bone fragments is referred to as a comminuted fracture. This type of fracture occurs when the bone is broken into multiple pieces, usually as a result of high-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a significant height. The presence of several fragments can complicate healing and often requires more intensive medical intervention, such as surgical fixation.

In contrast, a transverse fracture is characterized by a straight break across the bone, with no fragmentation involved. An impacted fracture occurs when the ends of the broken bone are driven into each other, while a greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture common in children, where the bone bends and partially breaks on one side but does not break completely through. Each of these types serves to highlight different mechanisms and presentations of fracture, demonstrating why comminuted is the correct designation for fractures that result in multiple pieces.