Fracture

A fracture is a break in a solid item that causes discontinuity without the substance actually separating into two or more pieces. (If the substance separated into pieces, the event would likely be called breaking[?] or shattering[?].)

The word fracture is most often applied to bones of living creatures, or to crystals or crystalline materials, such as gemstones or metal. Depending on the substance which is fractured, a fracture reduces strength[?] (most substances) or inhibits transmission of light (optical crystals).

A fractured bone in a living person is treated by immobilization with a plaster[?] or fiberglass cast, and in some cases surgical screws.