Are Fractured and Broken the Same Thing?

The terms are actually interchangeable and both refer to a bone that has been shattered, often by excessive force. Your doctor may be more likely to use the term fracture. To be frank, the term fracture is more “professional” sounding. To say break would still be correct but more colloquial.

What is worse a fracture or a break?

There's no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it's a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it's considered a fracture.

Does a fracture take longer to heal than a break?

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the time frame depends on the age of the patient and the type and location of the fracture. Healing can range from 6 weeks or even less for certain lower arm and wrist fractures to 6 months for more challenging leg breaks.