How is a fracture classified when the skin is broken?

When the skin is broken as a result of a fracture, the injury is classified as an open or compound fracture. This type of fracture is significant because it exposes the bone and underlying tissues to the external environment, increasing the risk of infection and complicating treatment.

In contrast, a closed or simple fracture occurs when the bone breaks but the skin remains intact. Simple fractures do not present the same risk of infection as open fractures. Similarly, the terms "simple" and "greenstick" refer to specific types of fractures based on the characteristics of the bone break itself rather than the condition of the skin. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture typically seen in children, where the bone bends and cracks on one side without breaking all the way through, but again, it does not involve skin penetration. Thus, for any fracture where the skin is broken, the correct terminology points to it being classified as open or compound.