What term is used to describe a fracture that breaks the skin and requires medical attention?

The term used to describe a fracture that breaks the skin and requires medical attention is a compound fracture. This type of fracture, also known as an open fracture, involves a break in the bone that punctures through the skin, creating an open wound. This exposure significantly increases the risk of infection and often necessitates more urgent medical intervention, such as surgery, to properly treat the injury and prevent complications.

In contrast, a simple fracture, also called a closed fracture, does not break the skin and presents a lower risk of infection. A greenstick fracture is a type of incomplete fracture typically seen in children where the bone bends and cracks without breaking all the way through, and a stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, which also does not involve skin penetration. Thus, the defining characteristic of a compound fracture is the open wound, making it clear why this term is appropriate for fractures that require medical attention.