What characterizes an impacted fracture?

An impacted fracture is specifically characterized by the occurrence where one end of a broken bone is driven into the other end of the broken bone. This type of fracture typically results from a high-impact injury, where the force applied to the bone is significant enough to cause this unique configuration of the fracture.

This mechanism of injury is associated with factors such as falls from height or high-energy sports collisions. The bone fragments interlocking can make the fracture more stable compared to other types, which can sometimes be beneficial for healing. Understanding this type of fracture is crucial in clinical settings as it aids in planning appropriate management and treatment protocols.

In contrast, the other options describe different scenarios: an uneven distribution of weight can lead to various forms of stress fractures or deformities, a fracture limited to the outer layer of the bone would not classify as impacted, and a fracture occurring at a joint typically refers to a different type, such as a fracture-dislocation, which involves additional complications with joint stability.