  from webmd.com... last line. Fracture A fracture is a broken bone. A break may occur when a bone is twisted, struck directly, or used to brace against a fall. Fractures may be closed (the broken bone does not break through the skin) or open (the skin is broken over the fracture site, and the bone may poke through the skin or be visible in the wound). A fracture may occur at the same time as other injuries, such as sprains, strains, or dislocations. It may be difficult to tell the difference between a severe sprain and a fracture. 
