Bones are rigid but they do bend or “give” somewhat when an outside force is applied. However, if the force is too great or if the bone is too weak, the bone will break. A bone can fracture in a variety of ways, from a hairline crack to an open, compound fracture.
Symptoms of a broken bone include but are not limited to:
- Swelling and tenderness around the injury
- Deformity: a limb may look “out of place” or a part of the bone may puncture through the skin
If you think someone has a broken bone, here are some things to do:
Additional Information and Resources
Deaconess Bone and Joint Care
- Stay calm
- Make the injured person as comfortable as possible
- Try to immobilize the injured part so as to reduce movement
- If you think the person has a neck or spine injury, do not move them.
- Seek medical attention