Symptoms

A fracture may show one or more of the following symptoms:

• Tenderness over the bone
• Shooting pain
• Visible deformity
• Increased pain with movement
• Bone protruding through the skin

First Aid

• Apply ice packs to the injury. For open fractures, use clean, preferably white, wrappings. Immediately applying cold will help decrease swelling and inflammation. If you think there may be a broken bone, protect and rest the injured limb immediately. To rest a bone effectively, immobilize the joint above and below the suspected fracture.
• If you suspect a fracture, immobilize it to prevent further injury until treatment is completed. A fracture can be immobilized by wrapping something around the injured limb or fixing the limb to some other part of the person’s body (this is called splinting). It is best to immobilize the joint above and below the injured area. Magazines, cardboard, or rolled newspaper can be used as a splint. Do not wrap too tightly or circulation will be cut off. A limb that cannot be used at all is probably broken and should be seen by a doctor.
• Minutes and hours are not crucial unless the limb is crooked, arteries or nerves are injured, or the injury is causing great pain. A fractured limb that is protected and rested is likely to mend well, even if casting or splinting is delayed.