A comminuted (pronounced: kah-muh-NOOT-ed) fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces.
It takes a lot of force for someone to get a comminuted fracture. A car accident or serious fall, for instance, can cause this type of fracture.
Someone with a comminuted fracture will have signs of a severe broken bone like:
Doctors order X-rays if they think a bone is broken. If the fracture is comminuted the X-rays will show the broken bone in more than two pieces.
Someone who gets a comminuted fracture probably will need surgery. After surgery, the person will wear a splint or cast for a while to keep the bone from moving while it heals.
Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD
Date Reviewed: Jan 1, 2024
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