Fracture and dislocation

A fracture is the breaking of a bone or a bend in a bone which always has associated damage to the soft tissue around the broken bone. There are different types of fractures, however they all require medical treatment.

Signs and symptoms

For the injured area:

• Pain

• Tenderness, can’t move the limb without pain

• Shortening of the limb

• Deformed limbs swelling, at an odd angle and possibly rotated

• Bones piercing through skin

Other associated injuries:

• Cuts and abrasions

• Bruises

• Muscle or soft tissue damage

• Organ damage

• The extremity of the injured arm or leg is numb or bluish at the tip

• Severe bleeding

• Shock

First aid

• Do not move the casualty unless there is immediate danger

• Control any bleeding and cover any wounds

• Ask the casualty not to move the injured limb

• Do not try to straighten broken bones or dislocations

• For a limb, provide support and comfort such as a pillow under the lower leg or forearm, but do not cause further pain or unnecessary movement of area

• Do not let them eat or drink anything until they are seen by a doctor, in case they need surgery

• Reassure and keep him/her warm

• If required - treat for shock or unconsciousness, protecting the limb as you do

• If a bone is protruding, apply pressure around the edges of the wound

• If medical aid will be delayed and you have been trained, apply a splint* to support the limb with the fracture. Immobilise above and below the fracture

• Keep an arm area from moving by applying a sling

• Monitor until ambulance arrives, check and adjust splints or bandages if cutting off circulation