What is the key feature of a closed fracture?

A closed fracture is characterized by the skin being intact over the fracture site. This means that while the bone has broken, there is no external wound that communicates with the fracture. It is important to understand this distinction because it influences how the injury is managed and the potential for complications.

In contrast, an open fracture, which is not the focus here, involves a break in the skin, posing a higher risk for infections and necessitating different treatment approaches. The notion that closed fractures occur only in athletes is misleading, as anyone can sustain this type of injury from various activities or accidents, regardless of athletic ability. Thus, the defining factor of a closed fracture is indeed the integrity of the skin, which facilitates a different set of considerations for assessment and care in a clinical setting.