Fractures
Summary
A bone fracture or broken bone occurs when a force exerted against a bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand. The most common sites for bone fractures are the wrist, ankle and hip. Treatments include setting the limb in a plaster cast or surgically pinning the bone ends back together.
Our skeleton is made up of bones. Bones are a type of connective tissue, reinforced with calcium and bone cells. Bones have a softer centre, called marrow, where blood cells are made. The main functions of our skeleton are supporting our body, enabling movement and protecting our internal organs.
There are different types of bone fractures. Some are more severe than others, depending on the strength and direction of the force, the particular bone involved, and the person’s age and general health. Common bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip. Hip fractures occur most often in older people.
Broken bones take around four to eight weeks to heal, depending on the age and health of the person and the type of break.
Causes of bone fractures
Causes of bone fractures can include:
Symptoms of bone fractures
Fractures are different from other injuries to the skeleton such as dislocations, although in some cases it can be hard to tell them apart. Sometimes, a person may have more than one type of injury. If in doubt, treat the injury as if it is a fracture.
The symptoms of a fracture depend on the particular bone and the severity of the injury, but may include:
Types of bone fracture
Different types of fracture include:
Not all fractures are of a person’s arm or leg. Trauma to the head, chest, spine or pelvis can fracture bones such as the skull and ribs. These fractures are further complicated by the underlying body structure that the bone normally protects. Some of these fractures can be very difficult to manage using first-aid principles only as they may represent life-threatening injuries. Always seek emergency assistance if you suspect this type of fracture.
Complications of bone fractures
Other problems caused by bone fracture can include:
First aid for bone fractures
Good first-aid care of fractures is always important. Moving the broken bones can increase pain and bleeding and can damage tissues around the injury. This can lead to complications in the repair and healing of the injury later on.
First aid for fractures is all about immobilising (limiting movement of) the injured area. Splints can be used for this. Control any external bleeding. Complicated breaks where a limb is very deformed may need to be realigned before splinting – only paramedics or medical staff should do this.
Fractures of the head or body such as skull, ribs and pelvis are all serious and should be managed by paramedics.
If you suspect a bone fracture, you should:
A bone fracture or broken bone occurs when a force exerted against a bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand. The most common sites for bone fractures are the wrist, ankle and hip. Treatments include setting the limb in a plaster cast or surgically pinning the bone ends back together.
Our skeleton is made up of bones. Bones are a type of connective tissue, reinforced with calcium and bone cells. Bones have a softer centre, called marrow, where blood cells are made. The main functions of our skeleton are supporting our body, enabling movement and protecting our internal organs.
There are different types of bone fractures. Some are more severe than others, depending on the strength and direction of the force, the particular bone involved, and the person’s age and general health. Common bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip. Hip fractures occur most often in older people.
Broken bones take around four to eight weeks to heal, depending on the age and health of the person and the type of break.
Causes of bone fractures
Causes of bone fractures can include:
- Traumatic incidents such as sporting injuries, vehicle accidents and falls
- Conditions such as osteoporosis and some types of cancer that cause bones to fracture more easily, meaning even minor trauma and falls can become serious.
Symptoms of bone fractures
Fractures are different from other injuries to the skeleton such as dislocations, although in some cases it can be hard to tell them apart. Sometimes, a person may have more than one type of injury. If in doubt, treat the injury as if it is a fracture.
The symptoms of a fracture depend on the particular bone and the severity of the injury, but may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Deformity
- Inability to use the limb.
Types of bone fracture
Different types of fracture include:
- Closed (simple) fracture – the broken bone has not pierced the skin
- Open (compound) fracture – the broken bone juts out through the skin, or a wound leads to the fracture site. Infection and external bleeding are more likely
- Greenstick fracture – a small, slender crack in the bone. This can occur in children, because their bones are more flexible that an adult’s bones
- Hairline fracture – the most common form is a stress fracture, often occurring in the foot or lower leg as a result of repeated stress from activities such as jogging or running
- Complicated fracture – structures surrounding the fracture are injured. There may be damage to the veins, arteries or nerves, and there may also be injury to the lining of the bone (the periosteum)
- Comminuted fracture – the bone is shattered into small pieces. This type of complicated fracture tends to heal more slowly
- Avulsion fracture – muscles are anchored to bone with tendons, a type of connective tissue. Powerful muscle contractions can wrench the tendon free and pull out pieces of bone. This type of fracture is more common in the knee and shoulder joints
- Compression fracture – occurs when two bones are forced against each other. The bones of the spine, called vertebrae, can have this type of fracture. Older people, particularly those with osteoporosis, are at higher risk.
Not all fractures are of a person’s arm or leg. Trauma to the head, chest, spine or pelvis can fracture bones such as the skull and ribs. These fractures are further complicated by the underlying body structure that the bone normally protects. Some of these fractures can be very difficult to manage using first-aid principles only as they may represent life-threatening injuries. Always seek emergency assistance if you suspect this type of fracture.
Complications of bone fractures
Other problems caused by bone fracture can include:
- Blood loss – bones have a rich blood supply. A bad break can make you lose a large amount of blood
- Injuries to organs, tissues or surrounding structures – for example the brain can be damaged by a skull fracture. Chest organs can be injured if a rib breaks
- Stunted growth of the bone – if a child’s long bone breaks close to the joint where the growth plates are found.
First aid for bone fractures
Good first-aid care of fractures is always important. Moving the broken bones can increase pain and bleeding and can damage tissues around the injury. This can lead to complications in the repair and healing of the injury later on.
First aid for fractures is all about immobilising (limiting movement of) the injured area. Splints can be used for this. Control any external bleeding. Complicated breaks where a limb is very deformed may need to be realigned before splinting – only paramedics or medical staff should do this.
Fractures of the head or body such as skull, ribs and pelvis are all serious and should be managed by paramedics.
If you suspect a bone fracture, you should:
- Keep the person still – do not move them unless there is an immediate danger, especially if you suspect fracture of the skull, spine, ribs, pelvis or upper leg
- Attend to any bleeding wounds first. Stop the bleeding by pressing firmly on the site with a clean dressing. If a bone is protruding, apply pressure around the edges of the wound
- If bleeding is controlled, keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
- Never try to straighten broken bones
- For a limb fracture, provide support and comfort such as a pillow under the lower leg or forearm. However, do not cause further pain or unnecessary movement of the broken bone
- Apply a splint to support the limb. Splints do not have to be professionally manufactured. Items like wooden boards and folded magazines can work for some fractures. You should immobilise the limb above and below the fracture
- Use a sling to support an arm or collarbone fracture
- Raise the fractured area if possible and apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain
- Stop the person from eating or drinking anything until they are seen by a doctor, in case they will need surgery
- In an emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.