There are different kinds of broken bones.
Simple or closed
fractures:
The broken bone is not visible through the skin nor is there a skin wound near the
fracture site. An example of this is a greenstick fracture. It is called this because the
X-ray resembles the pattern of a very young splintered green twig.
Compound or open fracture:
A bone may separate partially or completely and a skin wound is also present. The bone can
protrude through the skin or the skin has been cut due to the injury.
Bones in children are more pliable and may resist breakage more than bones in adults. In most cases, children's bones are still growing, especially the long bones of their arms and legs. Damage to the ends of these bones should be looked at carefully because of the risk of stunting the bone's growth.
Bones in some senior citizens become dangerously thin with age and break easily. Also, many women after menopause and some elderly men suffer from osteoporosis, a condition which weakens the bones. (See Osteoporosis)
Sometimes, broken bones may cause future deformities and limited movement if not properly cared for. Broken bones can also be very painful.
Prevention
Make sure you and your
child wear the right protective gear for each activity. Items to wear might include a
helmet, shoulder, knee and wrist pads, and a mouth guard.
Check that everyone in the car is wearing a
seat belt. Don't start the engine until everyone has buckled up.
| Does the person have an injury to the head, neck, and/or back? {Note: See Head Injuries and Neck/Spine Injuries.}  |
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| Does the victim have severe bleeding and/or an open fracture? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under "Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures".} |
|
Does the person have any of these problems? A broken bone in the pelvis or
thigh Cold, blue skin under the fracture Numbness below the fracture Sweating, dizziness, thirst, or an ashen
skin color Any deformity at the fracture site{Note: See Immobilize the injured area under Self-Care Tips below.} |
|
| Is the pain so severe that the person is unable to bear weight on
the injured limb and/or is there a lot of bruising around the injury? {Note: See Immobilize the injured area under Self-Care Tips below.} |
 |
{Note: If you have answered NO to all of the above questions you probably do not have a broken bone. If you are not sure whether or not a bone has been broken, consult your doctor.}
{Note: The Self-Care Tips below list things you can do when a bone has been broken before getting medical care.}
Immobilize
the injured area. Make a splint:
Use rolled-up newspapers and magazines, an umbrella, a stick, a cane, or rolled-up
blankets. Place this type of item around the
injury and gently hold it in place with a necktie,
strip of cloth, or belt. Splint a joint above
and below the fracture.
Or, lightly tape or tie an injured leg to the uninjured one, putting padding between the
legs, if possible. Or, tape an injured arm to
the chest, if the elbow is bent, or to the side
if the elbow is straight, placing padding
between the body and the arm.
Check the pulse in the limb with the splint. If you cannot find it, the splint is too
tight and
must be loosened at once.
Check for swelling, numbness, tingling, or a blue tinge to the skin. Any of these signs
indicates the splint is too tight and must be
loosened right away to prevent permanent injury.
For a broken arm, make a sling out of a triangular piece of cloth. Place the forearm in it
and tie the ends around the neck so the arm is
resting at a 90-degree angle.
Keep the person quiet to avoid moving the injured area.
Apply a cold compress to the injured area
to help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Take an over-the-counter medicine to reduce
pain and swelling. Acetaminophen will help the pain, but not the swelling. Don't take
aspirin if there is bleeding. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99