What type of fracture results in three or more fragments at the fracture site?

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the presence of three or more fragments at the fracture site. This type of fracture often occurs due to high-impact trauma, such as car accidents or falls from significant heights, where the force applied to the bone exceeds its strength. The resulting fragmentation indicates a severe injury, making treatment more complex.

In contrast, the other types of fractures have distinct characteristics. An oblique fracture involves a diagonal break across the bone, commonly resulting from a slanted impact. An impacted fracture occurs when one fragment of bone is driven into another, usually from a compression force. A linear fracture is a straightforward break that follows a straight line along the length of the bone, which does not involve fragmentation. Understanding the specifics of these fracture types is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.