Definition

Verb: 1. To break a bone again: Specifically, to break a bone that had been broken before and has healed, often in a way that requires it to be re-broken to set it correctly.

Usage

The verb "refracture" is used in medical contexts to describe the deliberate or accidental act of breaking a bone that has previously healed, typically to correct a poor initial alignment. It is a transitive verb and requires an object (e.g., refracture a bone, refracture the leg).

Examples

• The surgeon had to refracture her wrist to correct the malunion.
• If the bone heals in the wrong position, it may need to be refractured.
• Patients are advised to be careful not to refracture the weakened bone during recovery.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Procedure: "Refracture" often refers to a controlled surgical procedure (an osteotomy) where a healed bone is intentionally re-broken to improve its alignment and function.
  • The orthopedist recommended a surgical refracture of the femur.

Variants and Related Words

• Refracture (noun): The act or instance of refracturing. This is less common than the verb form.
  • The patient suffered a refracture of the clavicle.
• Fracture (verb/noun): The initial act of breaking a bone or the break itself.
• Malunion (noun): The improper healing of a fractured bone, which is a common reason for needing a refracture.

Synonyms

• Re-break
• Re-fracture (less common variant)

Antonyms

• Heal
• Mend
• Fuse (in the context of bones)

Verb

1. break (a bone) that was previously broken but mended in an abnormal way
   • The surgeon had to refracture her wrist