Is a Fracture Painful?
Yes, a fracture is typically painful. The experience of pain varies depending on the location, severity, and type of fracture, but pain is a common symptom.
A fracture, or broken bone, is a disruption in the continuity of a bone. This can range from a small crack (stress fracture) to a complete break where the bone separates. [^1, ^2, ^3, ^7, ^9] Several factors influence the pain experienced:
- Severity: A small crack will likely cause less pain than a complete break with significant displacement of the bone fragments.
- Location: Fractures in weight-bearing bones (like the legs and hips) often cause more pain than fractures in less weight-bearing bones (like the clavicle or fingers). [^8]
- Type of fracture: Open fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin) cause significant pain due to the injury to the bone and surrounding tissues. [^7]
- Individual pain tolerance: People experience pain differently, so the intensity of pain can vary significantly between individuals.
Many sources confirm that pain is a common symptom of a fracture. You may feel pain when you:
- Put weight on the injured area. [^0]
- Touch the injured area. [^0]
- Press on the injured area. [^0]
- Move the injured area. [^0]
Pain can be severe immediately after the fracture and may persist during healing. However, for many individuals, the pain subsides significantly once the fracture heals completely. [^1] In some cases, chronic pain may persist after healing. [^1] Symptoms like swelling and bruising often accompany the pain. [^0]
Examples of Fracture Pain
- Hip fracture: Causes severe pain in the hip or groin, making it difficult to walk or bear weight. [^5]
- Ankle fracture: Extremely painful and temporarily disabling. [^10]
- Spinal fracture: Often results in pain in the affected area of the spine. [^4]
- Collarbone fracture: Causes severe pain and swelling at the fracture site. [^8]
[^0]: If you have broken a bone, you may experience the following: you may hear or feel a snap or a grinding noise as the injury happens. there may be swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured area. you may feel pain when you put weight on the injury, touch it, press it, or move it.
[^1]: General Information About Pain After A Fracture | Osteoporosis ...
[^2]: Bone Fractures: Types, Symptoms & Treatment
[^3]: Fractures: Types, causes, symptoms, and treatment
[^4]: Vertebrae (Spinal) Fractures | Penn Medicine
[^5]: Hip fracture - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
[^6]: Stress fractures - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
[^7]: Bone Fractures - Symptoms and Causes | Penn Medicine
[^8]: Clavicle Fractures | Johns Hopkins Medicine
[^9]: Broken Bone and Fracture: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | UPMC
[^10]: Broken Ankle: Types of Fractures, Diagnosis & Treatments | HSS
