like are there signs that it's fractured besides taking an x-ray?
2007-09-08 20:44:39 · 9 answers · asked by Karoline 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
It depends on the bone. Some fractures are easier to detect than others.
Generally, there is pain and tenderness at the area. Swelling is also common, and the area may feel warm. Obviously, if the skin is broken, it's a given. Depending on the bone, you may be able to palpate gently and feel the breakage.
I haven't ever had a break, but I am literally the only person I know who hasn't. Everyone has told me that with simple fractures, you can often feel the two pieces of bone rubbing against each other when you move around. It sounds completely unpleasant to me.
If you think you have a fracture of the sort which requires splinting or casting, try to immobilize the area as best as you can until you can see a doctor. If it's something like a rib, and you aren't bleeding (as in coughing up blood, or blood in the toilet, or something else which would indicate a rib that is so severely broken it had punctured something), and you aren't having trouble breathing, try wrapping yourself with Ace bandages until you can be seen. That's pretty much what they do for ribs anyway--they just tape them or wrap them.
It's always possible you don't have a fracture. If you don't, the pain will usually go away fairly quickly, especially if you baby the area and do the heat and then ice routine. If the pain continues, you need to have it checked out. It could be soft tissue damage, like a torn tendon or ligament, or it could be a fracture. A fracture really needs to be treated, however. I know more than one person who thought they would tough it out, only to have to have the doctor re-fracture the area so it could be set properly. According to my friends who have had that done, it's the only thing which is worse than the actual accident itself.
Best of luck to you. I hope you are okay.
2007-09-08 20:56:43 · answer #1 · answered by Bronwen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pain and swelling can be some. Also limited movement. But in the case of say impact fracture there might not be any or very vague symptoms. Xray is the best way of knowing for sure so there are no deformities and the bones can heal properly without ossifications. Good luck.
2007-09-08 20:48:00 · answer #2 · answered by Darkchild 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
classic signs of a fracture are pain, swelling and deformity.
2007-09-08 20:52:49 · answer #3 · answered by Zarelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not always. Sometimes the affected limb will be floppy, or causing incredible pain or have swelling. I broke my wrist and didn't believe it until I saw the xray!
2007-09-08 20:47:10 · answer #4 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swelling around the break. Can't move hand, finger,etc. Deformity.
2007-09-08 20:47:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
compound fractures are easy to recognize.
2007-09-08 21:09:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bones coming out of the skin.... is it not obvious?
2007-09-08 20:57:00 · answer #7 · answered by bugi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bruising and swelling
pain
2007-09-08 20:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by lindakflowers 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course... IT HURTS !!!
2007-09-08 20:46:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋