What is a comminuted fracture characterized by?

A comminuted fracture is characterized by having three or more fragments at the fracture site. This type of fracture occurs when the bone is subjected to significant force or trauma, leading to it breaking into multiple pieces rather than a simple, clean break. This fragmentation can complicate healing and treatment, often requiring more extensive medical intervention, such as surgery, to properly align the bone fragments and stabilize the area.

In contrast, a clean break along the bone represents a simple or complete fracture, which is less complex than a comminuted fracture. A fracture caused by repetitive stress refers to stress fractures, typically resulting from overuse rather than a single traumatic event. Lastly, fractures at the joints generally involve areas known as articular fractures, which are distinct from comminuted fractures as they focus specifically on the joint surfaces rather than the bone's structural integrity throughout its length.