Draft: awaiting review by Dr. Swapnil Shah.
Common signs
- Pain when the bone is touched
- Swelling and bruising
- Cannot move or use the arm or leg
- The limb looks bent or out of shape
First aid on the way
- Keep the limb still. Support it with a folded newspaper or cardboard and a cloth
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth
- Do not try to straighten it, and do not let anyone massage it
- Remove rings and bangles before swelling starts
Go to a hospital or call 108 now if:
- Bone visible through the skin
- The hand or foot is cold, blue or numb
- Injury to the head, neck or back: do not move the person, call 108
At the clinic
An X-ray confirms the fracture. Many are treated with a plaster or splint; some need an operation to fix the bone. Follow-up X-rays check healing, and physiotherapy after the plaster brings back strength and movement.