Broken Bones
Broken Bones
Fractures – often know as ‘broken bones’ – come in four basic categories.
- Closed fractures are the most common, where there is a clean break or crack in the bone, there is no protrusion of the skin and no complications.
- A complicated fracture is one where other complications have been caused by the fracture, such as a trapped blood vessel or nerve.
- Open fractures are those where the broken bone has pierced the skin. These will require treatment of the wound as well as the fracture (see Bleeding and treat as an object embedded in the wound).
- Green stick fractures are usually found in children who have more flexible, ‘bendy’ bones – the fracture is more like a split, rather than a full break or crack.
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain at the site of the injury, tender to the touch.
- Loss of power – unable to hold, lift or support their own weight.
- Unnatural movement.
- Swelling at the site of the injury.
- Bruising.
- Deformity (where bones have moved from their normal position).
- Crepitus (bones moving against each other making an unpleasant sound).
Treatment
- Immobilise the limb and do not try to move or straighten a broken bone.
- Manage any bleeding at the location (open fracture).
- Use a sling or other method to keep the injured limb immobilised for transportation.
- Do not give painkillers.
- Call 999/112 if an ambulance is needed. Always request an ambulance if the injury involves the head, neck or back, or if there is reduced circulation beyond the injury site.
Dislocations
A dislocation is where a bone is moved out of its joint, but there is no break – typically the shoulder, finger, but also knee or elbow.
Do not attempt to re-locate a dislocated bone – follow the treatment for a broken bone and get professional help.
