A fracture is a break in a bone caused by physical force exceeding the bone's strength. Fractures are common, with the average person experiencing two in their lifetime. They can result from high impact trauma or trivial injury if a medical condition weakens the bones. There are three main types: simple fractures where the skin is intact; compound fractures where the skin is broken, risking infection; and transverse fractures which occur at a right angle to the bone, often from sharp blows or stress. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, limited movement, and numbness near the injury.