What is a closed or simple fracture characterized by?

A closed or simple fracture is characterized by breaking the bone while the skin remains intact. This means that although the bone has sustained a fracture, there are no open wounds at the site of the injury, which differentiates it from an open fracture where the bone breaks through the skin.

This distinction is crucial in first aid and medical treatment because closed fractures typically have a lower risk of infection compared to open fractures, where exposure to the environment can lead to complications. For a closed fracture, the focus is often on immobilization and pain management, allowing the bone to heal properly without the complications associated with broken skin.

The other options, such as breaking the skin, severe muscle damage, or the presence of multiple fractures, describe different types of injuries or conditions that do not align with the definition of a closed or simple fracture.