![]() ![]() Keep the person still – do not move them unless there is an immediate danger, especially if you suspect fracture of the skull, spine, ribs, pelvis or upper leg.If you suspect a bone fracture, you should: Control any external bleeding.Ĭomplicated breaks where a limb is very deformed may need to be realigned before splinting – only paramedics or medical staff should do this.įractures of the head or body such as skull, ribs and pelvis are all serious and should be managed by paramedics. This can lead to complications in the repair and healing of the injury later on.įirst aid for fractures is all about immobilising (limiting movement of) the injured area. Moving the broken bones can increase pain and bleeding and can damage tissues around the injury. Good first-aid care of fractures is important. Stunted growth of the bone – if a child’s long bone breaks close to the joint where the growth plates are found.Chest organs can be injured if a rib breaks. Injuries to organs, tissues or surrounding structures – for example the brain can be damaged by a skull fracture.A bad break can make you lose a large amount of blood. Blood loss – bones have a rich blood supply.Other problems caused by bone fracture can include: Always seek emergency assistance if you suspect this type of fracture. Some of these fractures can be very difficult to manage using first-aid principles only, as they may represent life-threatening injuries. ![]() ![]() These fractures are further complicated by the underlying body structure that the bone normally protects. Trauma to the head, chest, spine or pelvis can fracture bones such as the skull and ribs. Not all fractures are of a person’s arm or leg. Older people, particularly those with osteoporosis, are at higher risk. The bones of the spine, called vertebrae, can have this type of fracture. Compression fracture – occurs when 2 bones are forced against each other.This type of fracture is more common in the knee and shoulder joints. Powerful muscle contractions can wrench the tendon free and pull out pieces of bone. Avulsion fracture – muscles are anchored to bone with tendons, a type of connective tissue.This type of complicated fracture tends to heal more slowly. Comminuted fracture – the bone is shattered into small pieces.There may be damage to the veins, arteries or nerves, and there may also be injury to the lining of the bone (the periosteum). Complicated fracture – structures surrounding the fracture are injured.Hairline fracture – the most common form is a stress fracture, often occurring in the foot or lower leg as a result of repeated stress from activities such as jogging or running.This can occur in children, because their bones are more flexible that an adult’s bones. Greenstick fracture – a small, slender crack in the bone.Infection and external bleeding are more likely. Open (compound) fracture – the broken bone juts out through the skin, or a wound leads to the fracture site.Closed (simple) fracture – the broken bone has not pierced the skin.The symptoms of a fracture depend on the particular bone and the severity of the injury, but may include: If in doubt, treat the injury as if it is a fracture. Sometimes, a person may have more than one type of injury. conditions such as osteoporosis and some types of cancer that cause bones to fracture more easily, meaning even minor trauma and falls can become serious.įractures are different from other injuries to the skeleton such as dislocations, although in some cases it can be hard to tell them apart.traumatic incidents such as sporting injuries, vehicle accidents and falls.hip – hip fractures occur most often in older people.īroken bones take around 4 to 8 weeks to heal, depending on the age and health of the person and the type of break.Some are more severe than others, depending on the strength and direction of the force, the particular bone involved, and the person’s age and general health. There are different types of bone fractures. The main functions of our skeleton are supporting our body, enabling movement and protecting our internal organs. Bones have a softer centre, called bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Bones are a type of connective tissue, reinforced with calcium and bone cells. This disturbs the structure and strength of the bone, and leads to pain, loss of function and sometimes bleeding and injury around the site. A broken bone or bone fracture occurs when a force exerted against a bone is stronger than the bone can bear. ![]()
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