Which of the following is a common characteristic of all fractures?

Fractures, which are breaks in bone structure, share the common characteristic of being able to result from falls, trauma, or other forceful impacts. This means that regardless of the type of fracture, one can generally trace its occurrence back to some form of injury that causes a significant amount of force to be applied to the bone, exceeding its ability to withstand that force.

While fractures can indeed be very painful, the severity of pain can vary greatly among individuals and is not a defining characteristic of all fractures. Not all fractures require surgical intervention; many can heal adequately with conservative treatment, such as immobilization or casting. Finally, while many fractures can heal well with appropriate treatment, not all fractures heal completely without some form of medical care. Thus, the ability of fractures to result from various types of falls or trauma serves as a consistent and defining characteristic.