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Broken Bones
It's often difficult to tell whether a bone is broken or not. If you suspect a broken bone, treat it accordingly even if it looks normal.
Signs to look for:
- A piece of bone protruding from a wound
- Limited mobility or inability to move the limb
- Swelling or deformity of the injured limb or body part
- Intense pain
- Possible signs of shock
What Should You Do If You Have a Broken Bone?
FIRST AID FOR FRACTURES
- Check the person's breathing and pulse. If they are absent, call for emergency help and start CPR.
- Check for signs of shock. Keep the person lying down and as quiet as possible. Cover to keep warm.
- If there is bleeding over the suspected fracture, place a clean cloth or hand over the wound and apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding.
- Do not move the person unless they are in danger of further injury due to their location. If they must be moved, make a splint to completely immobilize the injured body part.
- Do not let the person attempt to "test" an arm, leg or other suspected broken bone by putting weight on it.
- Do not attempt to realign a broken bone yourself. Instead, apply a splint and consult a physician.
HOW TO APPLY A SPLINT
A fracture always should be immobilized by splinting before the person is moved. To do this, you should do the following:
- Find a rigid object that will serve as a splint. Anything that is straight, including a rolled-up newspaper or towel, wooden boards, a broom handle or a cane, will do. The splint should be longer than the bone and joint you want to support.
- Splint the limb as it lies. Cover any broken skin with a clean or sterile cloth. Try to pad the hard splint with soft material such as a piece of clothing or blanket.
- Tie or tape the padded splint to the injured limb. It should fit snugly but should not cut off blood circulation.
- After the limb has been immobilized, place an ice bag over the area of the break. Place it over a towel, not directly on the skin.
- For a fractured arm or wrist, apply a splint and then use a piece of clothing or cloth to make a sling to support the arm. Tie the sling and arm to the body to completely immobilize it.
- For a broken ankle or foot, splint the area with a pillow.
- For a broken collar bone, shoulder or elbow, use a piece of cloth or clothing to fashion a sling to support the arm and collarbone.
IMPORTANT
- Fractures are often only detected by X-rays.
- If what you think is a "sprain" remains swollen and painful for more than a day or two, you should see a physician to rule out a fracture.
COMMON TYPES OF FRACTURES
- BEND: The bone does not straighten completely after bending, producing deformity.
- BUCKLE FRACTURE: A portion of the bone is raised or bulging because the bone has been compressed.
- GREENSTICK FRACTURE : The bone has been bent beyond its stress limits and has a split on the side that was stressed, such as what happens when breaking a green stick.
- COMPLETE FRACTURE : The bone has broken into separate pieces.
- DISLOCATION FRACTURE : The bone is both broken and dislocated, or jarred, out of its socket.
- COMPOUND FRACTURE : The broken bone protrudes through the skin or into surrounding tissue.
First Choice Emergency Room is a freestanding ER and is prepared to manage all adult and pediatric major and minor emergencies. First Choice Emergency Room is committed to the health of you and your family. At First Choice Emergency Room , you will receive prompt, courteous and professional attention, with a smile and without the long wait... It's About Time.
***The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. |
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