Most Common Broken Bones

About Fractures

Fractures are common injuries that can range in severity from mild to life-threatening, especially when associated with car accidents or high-impact trauma. While most people recover within a few weeks, some fractures, particularly those involving the knee, ligaments, or muscles, can cause long-term complications and difficulty walking.

Older people have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, which weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures even from minor falls. Certain medical conditions can also delay healing or increase the likelihood of other injuries during recovery.

Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, or broken skin. Proper diagnosis typically requires imaging like X-rays or MRIs to assess the extent of the break and any involvement of surrounding tissues.

Types of Fractures

There are many different types of bone fractures. Your doctor will diagnose bone fractures according to the way they break. This can be seen on an X-ray scan. Some of the most common ways the bone breaks include the following:

• Open or closed fractures: An open fracture is when the broken bone causes a wound or breaks through the skin. Open fractures are also called compound fractures. In some cases, these types of fractures can cause serious infection. Closed fractures do not cause a soft tissue injury.
• Displaced or non-displaced fractures: A displaced fracture is when the bone pieces have shifted from their normal alignment. This fracture usually results in a visible deformity. Non-displaced fractures are when the bones remain aligned.
• Stress fractures: This refers to the cause of the fracture. It is often caused by repetitive strain.

What is the Most Common Bone to Break?

Here is a list of some of the most common bones that get broken:

• Collarbone: Out of all 206 bones, the clavicle is the most commonly broken bone in the entire human body. This is because it is a delicate S-shaped bone covered by thin tissue positioned between the shoulder blade and upper rib cage[5]. When falling, people stretch their arms out in order to catch themselves. This added pressure causes the clavicle to break[4].
• Arm: The arm, more specifically the humerus (upper arm) and ulna (forearm), is the second most broken bone, specifically in children. The arm tends to be broken in a similar manner to the clavicle, where individuals catch themselves wrong when falling[4].
• Wrist: The wrist is a common broken bone in people under 75 years of age from physical activity[4]. The wrist can be broken, similar to the lower arm, when catching yourself from falling[2].
• Hip: The hip is the most common broken bone in people over 65 years of age. This is due to the increase in falls in this population from arthritis or brittle bones, where the hip breaks from overload pressure from the body[4]. Conditions such as osteoarthritis can further increase the risk of hip fractures.
• Ankle: The ankle is another common broken bone through physical activity, similar to the wrist[4]. This ankle fracture can occur due to a roll, twist, or torsion[5]. Repetitive strain can also cause stress fractures.

What Are Possible Complications of Broken Bones?

Complications can arise when bones are broken. Complications can vary according to the particular bone involved. The following lists some of the possible complications:

• Tailbone: The tailbone involves multiple bones of the spine. Pain from a broken tailbone can last up to a year, and the recovery process can be extremely challenging. Walking, sittin,g and sleeping may all be painful, leading to an increased rehabilitation period and discomfort[1]. Unfortunately, splinting is not an option for a broken tailbone either[3].
• Femur: The femur is not only the largest, strongest bone in the body, but it also has main arteries nearby that can be damaged when broken, leading to severe bleeding or blood clots[3]. Commonly, surgery is required, and there will be a lack of walking on the area for many weeks afterwards[2].
• Spine: The spinal cord is protected by the spinal column. A broken spine can lead to nerve compression, leading to potential sensory and motor consequences. Thus, severe pain, loss of height, and disability can occur[3].
• Ribs: When broken, the ribs in the chest cavity can become jagged, leading to a long recovery time and commonly breathing difficulty, sleep disruption, movement challenges, and eating impairment[2]. Furthermore, ribs cannot be splinted. The area can become swollen, tender, and excessively bruised due to broken ribs. There can also be serious complications, as broken ribs can damage major blood vessels or internal organs[1].
• Collarbone: The clavicle is a main bone in the shoulder, so when this is broken, any type of upper body movement will likely lead to sudden, sharp pain. A collarbone can take many weeks to heal[1].

What Are the Most Painful Bones to Break?

Pain severity isn’t just about size—it’s influenced by nerve density, proximity to organs, and risk of complications. According to experts, here are the most painful bones to break:

1. Femur: Being the strongest long bone, breaking it needs immense force and produces excruciating pain, heavy bleeding, and often requires extensive internal fixation with rods or screws.
2. Pelvis: Composed of multiple bones; when fractured, it often involves multiple breaks and possible internal organ damage, causing intense pain.
3. Spine (vertebrae): Fractures here can compress the spinal cord, leading to severe pain and potential neurological issues.
4. Ribs: Broken ribs hurt with every breath or movement—recovery is painful and prolonged.
5. Tibia & Fibula (lower leg): Commonly seen in sports injuries; breaks involve sharp pain and can require surgery and rehab.
6. Clavicle: Though not deep, its constant movement makes healing slow and painful.

Book an Appointment

Treatment for a broken bone can range from self-healing to a sling to surgery. The most important part of the recovery process is to reduce pain, swelling and immobilize the affected area. If you are concerned about a broken bone, it is always necessary to consult a doctor for further evaluation. 

At OrthoNeuro, we are your trusted partners in treating broken bones. Contact us now to book an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons. You can find us throughout Columbus, Ohio. Book your appointment now!

Medically reviewed by Brian Skura, DO