Fracture

Bone fracture (sometimes abbreviated FRX or Fx, F_x, or #) is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone. A bone fracture can be the result of high force impact or stress, or trivial injury as a result of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, bone tumors, or osteogenesis imperfecta, where the fracture is then properly termed a pathological fracture.

Hip Fracture.

Although broken bone and bone break are common colloquialisms for a bone fracture, break is not a formal orthopedic term.

A crack (not only a break) in the bone is also known as a fracture. Fractures can occur in any bone in the body. There are several different ways in which a bone can fracture; for example a clean break to the bone that does not damage surrounding tissue or tear through the skin is known as a closed fracture or asimple fracture. On the other hand, one that damages surrounding skin or tissue is known as acompound fracture or an open fracture. Compound or open fractures are generally more serious than simple fractures, with a much higher risk of infection. 

The older we get the less force our bones can withstand. Approximately 50% of women and about 20% of men have a fracture after they are 50 years old (Source: National Health Service, UK).

Because children's bones are more elastic, when they do have fractures they tend to be different. Children also have growth plates at the end of their bones - areas of growing bone - which may sometimes be damaged.