What is a common complication of fractures, especially open fractures?

Infection is a common complication of fractures, particularly open fractures, because the skin is broken, allowing bacteria to enter the wound site. Open fractures expose the underlying bone and surrounding soft tissues directly to the external environment, significantly increasing the risk of microbial contamination. This can lead to a serious infection, which may compromise healing and could result in further complications if not addressed promptly.

When managing an open fracture, it is essential to initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy, perform thorough debridement, and implement careful wound care to minimize infection risk. If infection occurs, it can lead to delayed healing, chronic symptoms, or necessitate surgical interventions to cleanse the area or even remove infected tissue.

While hemorrhage is a concern in fractures due to potential blood vessel damage, joint stiffness can arise after immobilization and is more related to rehabilitation processes, and malunion involves healing of the bone in an improper alignment, these complications are typically not immediate concerns associated specifically with open fractures compared to the direct risk of infection.