Bone break and treatment by traction shown on a stick

A stick simulating a bone

A cut in the bone simulating a break in the bone but with normal alignment - an undisplaced fracture

An undisplaced fracture held aligned by the soft tissues i.e. the ligaments, muscles and tendons

This fracture has tilted as some of the soft tissues (rubber band) are intact but others are broken.

With a bad fracture there may be many fragments. The fractures may close up and usually also tilt

With traction i.e. pulling the fracture will line up as the pulling is resisted by the soft tissues