Bone Fractures

A fracture is defined as a break or rupture of a bone that occurs suddenly when strong forces are placed upon it. An example would be falling to the ground with an outstretched hand to soften your fall, and breaking your wrist in the process.

What to Do

If you suspect a fracture, immediately immobilize the affected area to protect it from further damage. For instance, use a Popsicle stick to immobilize a finger that has gotten jammed in a car door. Next, ice the area to decrease the swelling, and elevate the affected limb above the heart, if possible.

Evaluate the limb to make sure that there was no damage to a major artery. To do this, check the pulse, or push on the affected limb, then release the pressure. This should cause the skin to turn white. Count two seconds and see if the pinkish color returns. If it does, the artery should be fine.

To check for nerve damage, brush the skin downward from the injury all the way around the limb. Do the same thing on the unaffected side (the left arm if the right arm is broken). If the patient feels the same sensation on both sides, it is likely that the nerves were not damaged. Some loss of sensation is expected with swelling, but to lose all the feeling is not normal.

Treatments

If there is an open fracture (when the bone breaks through the skin) and medical attention is not immediately available, cover any open wound with sterile gauze, preferably soaked with an antiseptic solution such as Betadine. If available, take oral antibiotics that are effective against streptococcus or staphylococcus skin bacteria. Examples would be Cephalexin, Augmentin, or Zithromax. See a doctor as soon as possible.