Overview
A fracture is a broken bone, usually from falls, road traffic accidents or sports injuries. Proper alignment and immobilisation by trained professionals determine whether the limb heals straight and functional — poorly managed fractures are a common cause of lifelong deformity. X-rays confirm the break and guide treatment.
Symptoms
- Severe pain at the injury site
- Swelling and bruising
- Deformity or abnormal angle of the limb
- Inability to use or bear weight on the limb
- A snap or crack felt at injury
- Bone visible through the skin (open fracture — emergency)
Causes & risk factors
- Falls
- Road traffic accidents
- Sports injuries
- Weak bones from osteoporosis in older adults
- Repetitive stress in athletes
Treatment & self-care
Splint the limb as found, avoid forcing it straight, and get to a hospital for X-ray and proper treatment — a cast, manipulation or surgery with plates or pins depending on the break. Open fractures (bone through skin) need emergency care to prevent deep infection. Tight strapping with raw concoctions causes gangrene and amputation; physiotherapy after healing restores strength.
See a doctor urgently if
- Any suspected fracture — for X-ray and proper immobilisation
- Bone visible through the skin or heavy bleeding — emergency
- The limb beyond the injury is cold, pale, blue or numb — emergency
- Fingers or toes swelling or darkening under a tight cast or splint