A fracture is a disruption of the continuity and integrity of a bone and can include either a fracture of the bone or a complete fracture. In the case of a fracture, the fracture can manifest itself as a discontinuous interruption of the bone, that is, a break in the cortex on one side, and in the case of an incomplete fracture it can also manifest itself as a partial break in the cortex and cancellous bone, but the fracture line does not continue through the full length of the fracture. In the case of a broken bone, this generally refers to a complete fracture, where the fracture line passes completely through the full length of the bone and fracture stability is lost. A broken bone is significantly more severe than an incomplete fracture, and in the case of a complete fracture the bone should be repaired by manipulation or, in severe cases, by surgery.