What type of fracture is described as a break in the bone without an open wound in the skin?

A closed fracture is characterized by a break in the bone where the skin remains intact, meaning there is no open wound associated with the fracture. This distinction is important in medical coding and documentation because it influences treatment approaches and potential complications. Closed fractures typically result from impact or stress on the bone and do not expose the bone to external elements, significantly reducing the risk of infection compared to open fractures.

An open fracture, on the other hand, involves a break in the bone accompanied by an open wound in the skin, which can increase the risk of infection and often requires more intensive treatment. A greenstick fracture is a specific type of fracture often seen in children, where the bone bends and cracks on one side but does not break completely; it is not synonymous with a closed fracture. A compound fracture, which is often used interchangeably with the term open fracture, also entails an injury that exposes the bone through the skin. Therefore, understanding these definitions is crucial for accurate medical record-keeping and coding practices.