First Aid for Fractures
Broken bones, called fractures, can happen to anyone, whether from a fall, accident, or sports injury. Knowing what to do right away can prevent more harm and help the person feel safer until medical help arrives. When you give first aid for fractures, you should keep the bone still, support the injured area, and call for help if needed.
Symptoms of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and trouble moving the injured part. Sometimes the bone may look out of place or the skin nearby might be broken. Quick action can make a big difference, especially if the injury is serious or involves heavy bleeding.
Understanding Fractures
Fractures, or broken bones, are common and can happen to anyone. Knowing what a fracture is, the different types, and how they often occur helps people respond quickly and safely.
What Is a Fracture?
A fracture is a crack, break, or chip in a bone. Too much force on the bone causes it. Fractures can be mild, like tiny hairline cracks, or severe, with bones broken into several pieces. Broken bones may cause swelling, pain, bruising, or a visible deformity.
Sometimes the skin remains unbroken, but in other cases, the bone might stick out through the skin. Even minor-looking injuries need medical care. Fractures can lead to problems like infection, blood loss, or damage to nearby tissues. Acting quickly and giving proper first aid helps prevent more harm.
Types of Fractures
Fractures come in several types. Each one looks different and might need a different approach.
- Closed (Simple) Fracture: The bone breaks but the skin stays intact.
- Open (Compound) Fracture: The broken bone pokes through the skin, raising the risk of infection.
- Displaced Fracture: The pieces of bone move out of alignment.
- Non-Displaced Fracture: The bone cracks either all the way or partway through, but stays in line.
- Hairline (Stress) Fracture: A small, thin crack often caused by repeated stress.
- Greenstick Fracture: The bone bends and cracks, common in children.
- Comminuted Fracture: The bone breaks into three or more pieces.
A table summarizing key types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Closed | Skin unbroken |
| Open | Bone breaks through skin |
| Displaced | Bone ends out of normal alignment |
| Non-Displaced | Bone cracks but stays aligned |
| Hairline/Stress | Small, thin crack |
| Greenstick | Partial break, bends (kids) |
| Comminuted | Bone in pieces |
Common Causes of Fractures
Strong impacts or falls often cause fractures. Sports accidents, car crashes, or slipping on ice are some of the most frequent reasons. Certain conditions can make bones weaker, like osteoporosis or cancer in the bone. Weaker bones break more easily, even with small bumps or normal activities.
Children and older adults have a higher risk of broken bones because of growth spurts or weaker bones. The arm, wrist, hip, and ankle are common places for fractures. Repetitive motions, such as running or jumping, can cause stress fractures. Direct blows or twisting injuries, like those from contact sports or falls, are also common causes.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms
Noticing signs of a fracture early can help reduce pain and prevent more damage. Being aware of these symptoms makes first aid faster and more effective.
Pain and Tenderness
Pain is often the first and most obvious sign of a fracture. The pain is local, sharp, and gets worse when moving or pressing on the area. Unlike sprains or bruises, pain from a broken bone usually does not go away with rest or gentle movement.
The affected area may also be tender when touched. Sometimes, even light pressure can cause discomfort. Pain can start right after the injury or grow stronger over time. Noticing the level and type of pain helps tell fractures apart from other injuries.
Swelling and Bruising
Swelling often starts quickly after a fracture. The area around the broken bone can look bigger or puffier than normal. Bruising also often appears, caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. The site can change color, ranging from red to purple, blue, or yellow over time.
Both swelling and bruising make the area look different and feel sore. These signs may not always show up right away, but they should not be ignored if other symptoms are present.
Common Signs
- Noticeable lump or puffiness
- Change in skin color
- Skin feels tight or warmer than nearby areas
Abnormal Mobility and Deformity
Abnormal movement is a clear sign of a fracture. The limb or bone might move in ways it shouldn’t or look out of place. Deformity is often easy to spot. The bone may look crooked, angled, or show an unnatural bend.
In some severe cases, part of the bone sticks out beneath the skin, or an open wound reveals bone. Any loss of usual function or shape should be taken seriously. If you suspect a fracture, keep the area still to stop more injury.
| Sign | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Abnormal angle | Bent limb or joint |
| Unusual movement | Clicks or sliding |
| Visible misalignment | Joints look uneven |
Other Indicators
Other signs may also point to a fracture. Sometimes, the person hears or feels a snap or crack at the moment of injury. Loss of function, such as being unable to bear weight or use the limb, can be a signal. The area may also feel numb or tingly if nerves are affected.
Key Indicators to Watch
- Difficulty moving the area
- Sudden weakness or instability
- Cold or pale skin near the injury
- Bone poking through the skin in open fractures
Any combination of these signs means you should get medical help quickly.
Initial First Aid Steps
If someone suffers a fracture, acting quickly can stop more injury and help with recovery. Early actions like checking the area, calling for help, and stopping bleeding or shock are important for good first aid.
Assessing the Situation
First, look at the whole scene. Make sure it is safe and that there are no dangers like traffic, fire, or falling objects. Check if the injured person is breathing and alert. Look for deformity, swelling, bruising, or bleeding at the injury site. Avoid moving the injured limb unless there is an immediate threat like fire or another hazard.
If you are unsure if bones are broken, remember that pain, swelling, and trouble moving the area are key signs. Do not ask the person to move the injured area, as this can make things worse.
Ensuring Safety and Calling for Help
Always put personal safety first. If the area is not safe, move yourself and the injured person away if you can do it without harm. Use gloves if available to avoid contact with blood. If a major trauma or accident caused the injury, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Get medical help if:
- The person is unresponsive or not breathing.
- The fracture sticks out through the skin.
- There is heavy bleeding or signs of shock.
- It is a head, neck, or spinal injury.
Stay calm and speak clearly when calling for help. Give your name, location, the exact problem, and how many people are hurt.
Controlling Bleeding
If there is bleeding, try to stop it as soon as possible. Use a clean cloth or bandage to apply gentle pressure above the wound. If the bone is sticking out, do not push it back in. Cover the area with a clean dressing and apply pressure around—not directly on—the exposed bone.
Raise the injured limb if it does not cause more pain and if moving it does not risk more injury. Elevating the limb, when possible, helps slow down bleeding. Tape or tie the bandage so it is firm but not too tight, so blood still flows to fingers or toes.
Managing Shock
Shock can happen after a fracture, especially if bleeding is severe. Signs include pale or cool skin, fast heartbeat, shallow breathing, weakness, confusion, or fainting. Lay the person down on their back. Keep their legs slightly raised unless this makes the injury worse or if you think there are injuries to the head, neck, back, or legs.
Cover the person with a coat or blanket to keep them warm. Do not give them food or fluids. Stay with the person, watch their breathing, and be ready to start CPR if needed. Getting help quickly is key when dealing with shock.
Immobilization Techniques
Immobilizing the injured area is an important step in first aid for fractures. It helps stop more injury and reduces pain. The goal is to keep the area from moving until the person can get medical care.
You can use splints, slings, or bandages to keep the area still. A splint is a firm object placed next to the fractured limb. A sling supports an arm or shoulder injury. When you use a splint:
- Put padding between the splint and the skin for comfort.
- Make sure the splint extends past the joints above and below the fracture.
- Secure the splint with broad bandages or strips of cloth, but do not tie them too tightly.
If you do not have a splint, you can use a rolled-up newspaper, stick, or board. Always support the limb in the position you found it and avoid straightening it. Here is a quick guide to immobilization materials:
| Material | Common Use | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Splint | Arm, leg, finger | Add padding for comfort |
| Sling | Arm, shoulder | Keep hand higher than elbow |
| Bandage | Secure splint or sling | Check circulation often |
Immobilizing a fracture with a splint or bandage can help control pain. It can also help stop internal bleeding and keep the broken bones from moving more. For open wounds, stop any bleeding before you apply splints or bandages. Make sure not to press directly on any exposed bone.
When to Call Emergency Services
Call emergency services right away if a major accident or trauma causes the fracture. If the person does not respond, does not breathe, or cannot move, get help immediately. If a bone sticks out through the skin (open fracture), treat it as an emergency. If you cannot stop the bleeding with pressure, seek urgent care. Call for help if you notice any of these signs:
- Severe pain or obvious deformity
- The injured area looks blue or very pale
- Heavy bleeding
- Bone exposed through the skin
- The person does not respond, has trouble breathing, or shows signs of shock (pale, cold, confused)
Never try to straighten the limb or push the bone back in. Moving someone with a suspected spine, head, neck, or hip injury can cause more harm. Move them only if they are in danger. If you are unsure, call emergency services for advice. Here is a quick table summarizing when to call:
| Situation | Call Emergency Services |
|---|---|
| Major trauma or car accident | Yes |
| Open fracture (bone outside skin) | Yes |
| Uncontrolled bleeding | Yes |
| Signs of shock | Yes |
| Unresponsive or not breathing | Yes |
