What is the common characteristic of a comminuted fracture?

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the fragmentation of the bone, where the bone breaks into multiple pieces, often as a result of high-impact trauma. This type of fracture is significant because the presence of numerous fragments makes healing more complex and can pose challenges for proper alignment and stabilization of the bone during the recovery process.

In contrast, other options describe different conditions or characteristics that do not apply to a comminuted fracture. For instance, normal alignment of pieces would suggest a more stable fracture type, which is not the case in comminuted fractures. Pain at the site is typical of most fractures, but it does not specifically define a comminuted fracture. Lastly, while some fractures may heal without surgical intervention, comminuted fractures often require surgery for appropriate fixation and to ensure proper healing due to the bone's fragmented state. Hence, the defining feature of a comminuted fracture is indeed the fragmentation of the bone.