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Broken bone

Bone - broken; Fracture; Stress fracture; Bone fracture

 

If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture (compound fracture).

A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone that develops because of repeated or prolonged forces against the bone.

Considerations

 

It is hard to tell a dislocated joint from a broken bone. However, both are emergency situations, and the basic first aid steps are the same.

 

Causes

 

The following are common causes of broken bones:

  • Fall from a height
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Direct blow
  • Child abuse
  • Repetitive forces, such as those caused by running, can cause stress fractures of the foot, ankle, tibia, or hip

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of a broken bone include:

  • A visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
  • Swelling, bruising, or bleeding
  • Intense pain
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Broken skin with bone protruding
  • Limited mobility or inability to move a limb

 

First Aid

 

First aid steps include:

  1. Check the person's airway and breathing. If necessary, call 911 and begin rescue breathing, CPR , or bleeding control .
  2. Keep the person still and calm.
  3. Examine the person closely for other injuries.
  4. In most cases, if medical help responds quickly, allow the medical personnel to take further action.
  5. If the skin is broken, it should be treated immediately to prevent infection. Call emergency help right away. DO NOT breathe on the wound or probe it. If possible, lightly rinse the wound to remove visible dirt or other contamination, but do not vigorously scrub or flush the wound. Cover with sterile dressings.
  6. If needed, immobilize the broken bone with a splint or sling. Possible splints include a rolled up newspaper or strips of wood. Immobilize the area both above and below the injured bone.
  7. Apply ice packs to reduce pain and swelling.
  8. Take steps to prevent shock . Lay the person flat, elevate the feet about 12 inches (30 centimeters) above the head, and cover the person with a coat or blanket. However, DO NOT move the person if a head, neck, or back injury is suspected.

CHECK BLOOD CIRCULATION

Check the person's blood circulation. Press firmly over the skin beyond the fracture site. (For example, if the fracture is in the leg, press on the foot). It should first blanch white and then "pink up" in about two seconds. Signs that circulation is inadequate include pale or blue skin, numbness or tingling, and loss of pulse.

If circulation is poor and trained personnel are NOT quickly available, try to realign the limb into a normal resting position. This will reduce swelling, pain, and damage to the tissues from lack of blood.

TREAT BLEEDING

Place a dry, clean cloth over the wound to dress it.

If the bleeding continues, apply direct pressure to the site of bleeding. DO NOT apply a tourniquet to the extremity to stop the bleeding unless it is life-threatening.

 

Do Not

 

  • DO NOT move the person unless the broken bone is stable.
  • DO NOT move a person with an injured hip, pelvis, or upper leg unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must move the person, pull the person to safety by his clothes (such as by the shoulders of a shirt, a belt, or pant-legs).
  • DO NOT move a person who has a possible spine injury.
  • DO NOT attempt to straighten a bone or change its position unless blood circulation appears hampered.
  • DO NOT try to reposition a suspected spine injury.
  • DO NOT test a bone's ability to move.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call 911 if:

  • The person is not responding or is losing consciousness.
  • There is a suspected broken bone in the head, neck, or back.
  • There is a suspected broken bone in the hip, pelvis, or upper leg.
  • You cannot completely immobilize the injury at the scene by yourself.
  • There is severe bleeding.
  • An area below the injured joint is pale, cold, clammy, or blue.
  • There is a bone projecting through the skin.

Even though other broken bones may not be medical emergencies, they still deserve medical attention. Call your health care provider to find out where and when to be seen.

If a young child refuses to put weight on an arm or leg after an accident, won't move the arm or leg, or you can clearly see a deformity, assume the child has a broken bone and get medical help.

 

Prevention

 

Take the following steps to reduce your risk of a broken bone:

  • Wear protective gear while skiing, biking, roller blading, and participating in contact sports. This includes using a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and shin pads.
  • Create a safe home for young children. Place a gate at stairways and keep windows closed.
  • Teach children how to be safe and look out for themselves.
  • Supervise children carefully. There is no substitute for supervision, no matter how safe the environment or situation appears to be.
  • Prevent falls by not standing on chairs, counter tops, or other unstable objects. Remove throw rugs and electrical cords from floor surfaces. Use handrails on staircases and non-skid mats in bathtubs. These steps are especially important for the elderly.

 

 

References

Geiderman JM, Katz D. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 49.

Wells L, Sehgal K, Dormans JP. Common fractures. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme III JW, Schor NF, Behrman RE, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 675.

 
  • X-ray - illustration

    X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.

    X-ray

    illustration

  • Fracture types (1) - illustration

    There are several types of bone fracture, including: Oblique - a fracture which goes at an angle to the axisComminuted - a fracture of many relatively small fragmentsSpiral - a fracture which runs around the axis of the boneCompound - a fracture (also called open) which breaks the skin Oblique - a fracture which goes at an angle to the axis Comminuted - a fracture of many relatively small fragments Spiral - a fracture which runs around the axis of the bone Compound - a fracture (also called open) which breaks the skin

    Fracture types (1)

    illustration

  • Fracture, forearm - X-ray - illustration

    This x-ray shows broken (fractured) forearm bones (radius and ulna).

    Fracture, forearm - X-ray

    illustration

  • External fixation device - illustration

    An external fixation device may be used to keep fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. The device can be adjusted externally to ensure the bones remain in an optimal position during the healing process. This device is commonly used in children and when the skin over the fracture has been damaged.

    External fixation device

    illustration

  • Fractures across a growth plate - illustration

    A green stick fracture is an incomplete fracture in a long bone of a child who has not finished growing. A fracture involving a growth plate (the cartilage plate near the end of the bone of a growing child where growth occurs) can lead to disturbances in growth of the bone, even if treated properly.

    Fractures across a growth plate

    illustration

  • Internal fixation devices - illustration

    An internal fixation device may be used to keep fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. The device is inserted surgically to ensure the bones remain in an optimal position during and after the healing process.

    Internal fixation devices

    illustration

  • Fracture types (2) - illustration

    There are several types of bone fracture, including: Greenstick - an incomplete fracture in which the bone bendsTransverse - a fracture that goes across the bone's axisSimple - a fracture which does not break the skin Greenstick - an incomplete fracture in which the bone bends Transverse - a fracture that goes across the bone's axis Simple - a fracture which does not break the skin

    Fracture types (2)

    illustration

  • Osteoclast - illustration

    This picture shows a normal osteoclast. It is a large cell with separately identifiable, multiple nuclei. Osteoclasts are needed to repair bone.

    Osteoclast

    illustration

  • Bone fracture repair - series

    Presentation

  •  
    • X-ray - illustration

      X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.

      X-ray

      illustration

    • Fracture types (1) - illustration

      There are several types of bone fracture, including: Oblique - a fracture which goes at an angle to the axisComminuted - a fracture of many relatively small fragmentsSpiral - a fracture which runs around the axis of the boneCompound - a fracture (also called open) which breaks the skin Oblique - a fracture which goes at an angle to the axis Comminuted - a fracture of many relatively small fragments Spiral - a fracture which runs around the axis of the bone Compound - a fracture (also called open) which breaks the skin

      Fracture types (1)

      illustration

    • Fracture, forearm - X-ray - illustration

      This x-ray shows broken (fractured) forearm bones (radius and ulna).

      Fracture, forearm - X-ray

      illustration

    • External fixation device - illustration

      An external fixation device may be used to keep fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. The device can be adjusted externally to ensure the bones remain in an optimal position during the healing process. This device is commonly used in children and when the skin over the fracture has been damaged.

      External fixation device

      illustration

    • Fractures across a growth plate - illustration

      A green stick fracture is an incomplete fracture in a long bone of a child who has not finished growing. A fracture involving a growth plate (the cartilage plate near the end of the bone of a growing child where growth occurs) can lead to disturbances in growth of the bone, even if treated properly.

      Fractures across a growth plate

      illustration

    • Internal fixation devices - illustration

      An internal fixation device may be used to keep fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. The device is inserted surgically to ensure the bones remain in an optimal position during and after the healing process.

      Internal fixation devices

      illustration

    • Fracture types (2) - illustration

      There are several types of bone fracture, including: Greenstick - an incomplete fracture in which the bone bendsTransverse - a fracture that goes across the bone's axisSimple - a fracture which does not break the skin Greenstick - an incomplete fracture in which the bone bends Transverse - a fracture that goes across the bone's axis Simple - a fracture which does not break the skin

      Fracture types (2)

      illustration

    • Osteoclast - illustration

      This picture shows a normal osteoclast. It is a large cell with separately identifiable, multiple nuclei. Osteoclasts are needed to repair bone.

      Osteoclast

      illustration

    • Bone fracture repair - series

      Presentation

    •  

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Broken bone

         

         

        Review Date: 5/9/2015

        Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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