Broken bones and sprains¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
Falls, sports, and crashes can break bones or tear the ligaments around a joint. This page shows you how to protect an injury until it is checked, and when to call for help.
Do this now¶
- Help the person stay still. Do not move them if you suspect an injury to the head, neck, or back.
- Call your local emergency number if the signs below apply (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom).
- Do not try to straighten the injured part or push a bone back in.
- Support the injury in the position you found it, using padding, a folded cloth, or a sling.
- Put a cold pack wrapped in cloth on the area, and keep the person warm.
Signs of a broken bone¶
A break is not always obvious. A person may feel pain, swelling, or bruising, and cannot use the part normally.
- Severe pain that gets worse with movement
- Swelling, bruising, or tenderness
- A limb that looks bent, shortened, or out of shape
- A crack or grinding sound at the time of injury
- Numbness, tingling, or a cold, pale, or blue limb
- A bone through the skin
If you are not sure whether it is a break or a sprain, treat it as a break.
Support the injury¶
Keep the injured part still. Movement causes pain and can cause more damage. Do not try to straighten it, even if it looks wrong.
Support an arm against the body with a sling made from a scarf, a triangular bandage, or a shirt. For a leg, pad around it with rolled blankets or towels, and keep the person lying down. Splint only if you are trained, or if you must move the person without help arriving.
Do not give food or drink, because the person may need surgery. Keep them warm with a coat or blanket, since shock can follow a serious injury.
Cold pack¶
Wrap ice or a cold pack in a cloth and hold it on the area for up to 20 minutes. Never put ice directly on skin. The cold reduces swelling and pain.
An open wound¶
If a bone has come through the skin, do not push it back. Cover the wound with a clean dressing or cloth, and press gently around the edges to control bleeding without pressing on the bone. See bleeding for more. Call your emergency number.
... danger "Call right away if" The limb is bent at an odd angle, the injury follows a hard fall or crash, there is heavy bleeding, a bone is through the skin, or the skin below the injury is numb, pale, blue, or cold. Also call for any suspected injury to the neck, back, hip, or thigh, and if the person is faint, confused, or struggling to breathe.
Sprains and strains¶
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, often in an ankle, knee, or wrist. A strain is a stretched muscle. Both cause pain, swelling, and bruising, and a joint that hurts to use.
For a mild sprain, a general approach is RICE.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Rest | Stop the activity and avoid putting weight on the injury |
| Ice | Hold a cold pack wrapped in cloth on it for up to 20 minutes, several times a day for the first two or three days |
| Compression | Wrap it with an elastic bandage that is snug but not tight |
| Elevation | Raise it above heart level when you can |
Remove a bandage if the toes or fingers turn blue, go numb, or tingle. In the first couple of days, avoid heat, alcohol, and massage, which can increase swelling.
When to see a health professional¶
Get medical advice if you cannot put weight on the limb or walk more than a few steps, if pain is severe or getting worse, if swelling or bruising is large or growing, or if the area is very stiff. Also see a professional if there is no improvement after a few days.
Children, older adults, and anyone with a bone condition should be checked after a fall. Sprains and breaks can feel alike, and only an exam or an X-ray can tell them apart.
While you wait for help¶
- Stay with the person and keep them calm
- Remove rings, watches, and tight items near the injury before it swells
- Do not let them eat or drink
- Watch their color, breathing, and alertness
- Tell responders when and how the injury happened
... note "Take a course" A Red Cross or similar first aid course teaches you to support injuries and use slings and splints with hands on practice.