What Is a Comminuted Fracture? A comminuted (pronounced: kah-muh-NOOT-ed) fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces. How Do Comminuted Fractures Happen? 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. How Are Comminuted Fractures Treated? 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. Back to Articles Related Articles Broken Bones Bones are tough stuff - but even tough stuff can break. Find out what happens when a bone fractures. Read More Broken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture) A broken collarbone is one of the most common types of broken bones. Find out how it can happen - and how to treat and avoid fractures. Read More First Aid: Broken Bones A broken bone requires emergency medical care. Here's what to do. Read More How Broken Bones Heal Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal. New bone forms within a few weeks of the injury, although full healing can take longer. Read More Buckle Fractures A buckle or torus fracture is a type of broken bone. One side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone. Teens don't usually get this type of fracture. Read More Greenstick Fractures A greenstick fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through the bone. Read More Casts This article for teens has tips on taking care of a cast so it keeps working as it should. Read More What to Expect When Your Cast Comes Off You probably can't wait to get back to your normal activities, but it takes a while for a limb that's been in a cast to finish healing. Here's what to expect. Read More Splints A splint is a support device that keeps an injured area from moving. Doctors often use splints to hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a fracture. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.