A fracture or dislocation having a direct communication with the outside through the skin. There may be a small wound over the fracture or dislocation, or the ends of the bone may be protruding through the skin.
A fracture in which the broken end of a bone pierces the skin.
An open fracture, often termed a compound fracture, is when the broken bone pierces through the skin. This kind of fracture presents a higher infection risk than a closed fracture due to the skin breach.