What is an open fracture characterized by?

An open fracture, also known as a compound fracture, is characterized by the bone protruding through the skin. This condition is significant because the exposure of bone to the external environment increases the risk of infection, complicating treatment and recovery. The presence of an open fracture typically necessitates immediate medical attention to clean the wound and stabilize the fracture, often involving surgical intervention.

In contrast, other options describe characteristics of closed fractures or conditions that may not involve an open wound. For example, an intact skin over the fracture site indicates a closed fracture, while the absence of soft tissue damage, or natural healing without intervention, is not associated with open fractures, as they inherently carry greater risks and complications.