What is a common complication that can arise from fractures?

Delayed union or nonunion is a common complication that can arise from fractures. When a bone is fractured, it typically goes through a healing process that involves several stages, including inflammation, soft callus formation, hard callus formation, and remodeling. If the healing process is interrupted or does not proceed as expected, it can lead to delayed union, where the bone takes longer than usual to heal, or nonunion, where the bone fails to heal altogether. Factors that can contribute to these complications include inadequate blood supply, infection, improper alignment, and the patient's overall health, including age and comorbidities.

In contrast, while conditions like osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and joint stiffness may relate to fractures or their recovery, they are not direct complications of the fracture itself. Osteoporosis refers to a systemic decrease in bone density that predisposes individuals to fractures, rather than a complication arising specifically from the act of fracturing a bone. Muscle atrophy may occur if a limb is immobilized for an extended period, but it is a secondary effect rather than a complication of the fracture healing process. Joint stiffness can develop from immobility following a fracture, but it is also not as direct a complication as delayed union or nonunion. Thus, focusing