Objective To summarize the cl inical characteristics of 596 patients with fracture in Wenchuan earthquake and to investigate the therapeutic methods and effects of early treatment. Methods From May 12th 2008 to May 21st 2008, 596 patients with fracture caused by Wenchuan earthquake were treated, including 283 males and 313 females aged1.9-102 years (median 43 years). The time from injury to hospital ization varied from 12 minutes to 4 days. There were 132 cases of upper extremity fracture, 496 cases lower extremity fracture, 10 cases clavicular fracture, 16 cases scapular fracture, 23 cases pelvis fracture, and 59 cases spinal fracture. Among them, 183 cases were open fracture and 413 cases were closed fracture. And 214 cases had multiple fracture (35.9%) and 68 cases had crush injury in l imbs which scored (6.84 ± 2.48) points according to the mangled extremity severity score (MESS). Thirty-six cases were combined with neurovascular injury. The wound of the open fracture was contaminated at different degrees, but no gas gangrene was observed. Open fracture was treated with suturing or no suturing after debridement, open reduction and internal or external fixation. Closed fracture was fixed with spl ints, cast and traction. Forty-nine patients whom were highly suspected as osseous fascia compartment syndrome received incision decompression timely, and 34 patients whose MESS were above 7.0 points or suffering from crush injury of l ifethreatening systemic symptoms received amputation. Results Apart from 34 patients receiving amputation, 460 patients achieved functional reduction of fracture after manipulative reduction and 102 cases got satisfactory reduction after surgery. Postoperatively, 289 patients were transferred to other hospitals. Among the rest 307 patients, 34 with severe wound infection were healed after multiple debridement, anti-infection, and skin flap transplantation (16 cases healed by first intention and 18 cases healed by second intention), 42 cases with crush syndrome were treated with open decompression and amputation, and nodeep venous thrombosis of lower l imb, stress ulcer and death were observed after operation (29 cases healed by first intention and 13 cases healed by second intention). Conclusion By aiming at the features of fracture caused by earthquake, the prompt and professional treatment can achieve good therapeutic effects.