What is a comminuted fracture?

What is a comminuted fracture?

Comminuted (pronounced “kah-meh-noot-ed”) fractures are a type of broken bone. The term comminuted fracture refers to a bone that is broken in at least two places. These fractures can affect any large or long bone in your body. Some of the most common include:

• Femur (thigh).
• Tibia (shin).
• Fibula (calf).
• Humerus (upper arm).
• Radius and ulna (forearm).
• Clavicle (collarbone).
• Skull.

Comminuted fractures are almost always caused by serious traumas like car accidents or falls from a high place. They are very serious in large bones, and you will often need surgery to repair your bones. Sometimes, comminuted fractures happen to smaller bones and can heal without surgery. How long it takes to recover depends on which of your bones are fractured and what caused the breaks. Most people need up to a year to recover from a comminuted fracture if it involved one of the long or larger bones in your body, especially if it requires surgery.