What distinguishes a closed fracture from an open fracture?

A closed fracture is characterized by the skin remaining intact, which means there is no direct communication between the external environment and the fracture site. This distinction is important in medical practice because closed fractures tend to have less risk of infection compared to open fractures, where the skin is broken and there is potential exposure to pathogens. The intact skin of a closed fracture helps protect the underlying tissues, allowing for less complicated healing processes and often enabling conservative treatment methods.

In contrast, when the skin is broken, as in an open fracture, the risk of infection increases significantly, and the treatment often requires more advanced interventions, including surgical repair. While some fractures may require surgery regardless of whether they are open or closed, this is not the defining characteristic that distinguishes the two types. Additionally, describing a fracture as a hairline fracture typically refers to a specific type of fracture that is not strictly related to whether it is open or closed. Therefore, the key distinction lies in the integrity of the skin surrounding the fracture.