Broken bones (fractures) (2024)

Table of Contents

Signs of a broken bone Common fractures When to seek medical help Treatment for a broken bone More useful links

Broken bones can happen after an accident like a fall, or being hit by an object. Anyone can break a bone. Older people and those with osteoporosis may fracture bones more easily. Get medical help immediately for a broken bone. Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury is severe.

Signs of a broken bone

The three most common signs of a broken bone are:

pain
swelling
deformity

It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether a bone is broken if it isn't displaced.

If you have broken a bone, you may experience the following:

you may hear or feela snap or a grinding noiseas the injury happens
there may be swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured area
you may feel pain when you put weight on the injury, touch it, press it, or move it
the injured part may look deformed – in severe breaks, the broken bone may poke through the skin

In addition,you may feel faint, dizzy or sickas a result ofthe shock of breaking a bone.

Common fractures

Bones which are commonly fractured include:

When to seek medical help

You should seek medical help as soon as possibleifyou think you've broken a bone. If you think you may have broken your toe or finger, you can go to aminor injury unit.

Go to your nearestemergency departmentfor a broken arm or leg.

Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury seems severe or you're not able to get to an emergency department quickly.

Very severe suspected breaks, such as a broken neck or back, should always be treated by calling 999.

Treatment for a broken bone

The broken bone must be properly in line and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the right position.

If you don't receive the right treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. You may also develop long-term problems with your joints.

It's important not to eat or drink anything if you think you've broken a bone, as you may need a general anaesthetic (where you're asleep) to allow doctors to realign it.