What is a key characteristic of a displaced fracture?

A key characteristic of a displaced fracture is that the ends of the broken bone are misaligned. This misalignment occurs when the fracture causes the bone fragments to shift out of their normal position, which can lead to various complications, including improper healing, pain, and functional impairment. Proper alignment is crucial for effective healing and restoration of function, making this characteristic particularly significant in fracture assessment and treatment.

In contrast, other options describe features that do not specifically pertain to displaced fractures. For example, fractures that occur without breaking the skin refer to closed fractures, which can be either stable or unstable, and do not inherently indicate displacement. A fracture being only partially fractured relates to incomplete fractures, which can occur in both aligned and misaligned bones. Finally, a stable fracture typically refers to a fracture that does not move, even under stress. While stability can occur in fractures, it does not define a displaced fracture, as displacement inherently involves misalignment.