Broken Bones

            A broken bone is never a laughing matter and if you, or someone you’re with, breaks a bone it’s important to know what to do.  Although you should always get medical help rather than trying to fix the problem yourself, sometimes help isn’t available and you’ve got no choice but to try to help the person yourself.  First off there are several different kinds of breaks.  And before you begin any treatment, it’s important to know what type you’re dealing with.  If you think an infant has broken a bone click Here to view a section on how to handle the situation.

• A Greenstick Fracture is when the bone only cracks, and does not fully break. Because these do not break the skin, they should be treated as a Single Fracture.  These fractures can be determined by using x-rays.

• A Bending Fracture occurs in children only.  In this case the bone bends but does not actually break.

• A Single Fracture is when the bone breaks in one place, and does not pierce the skin.

• A Compound Fracture is when the bone has broken into two pieces

• A Comminuted Fracture is when the bone is broken in more than two places or crushed.

• An Open or Compound Fracture is when the bone has actually punctured the skin and is visible.  These breaks are very severe and have a high risk on infection.  DO NOT try to set these breaks yourself, instead get professional medical help immediately.

            Once you’ve determined what type of break you have, there are a few things you should know about breaks in general.  While your bones are strong, they can only take so much pressure and bend so much at one time before they crack or break.  Younger people tend not to break bones as easily because their bones are more pliable, but bones that break at the ends should be looked at carefully because growth plates can be damaged.  Older people are the opposite, a simple fall may result in a broken bone, which will take much more time and energy to heal.  When a bone breaks, most people feel a sharp pain similar to that of a bad headache.  The smaller the fracture the less pain you’re likely to feel, this can make it confusing if you are trying to determine whether the bone is broken. Whether you think it is or not, ask your doctor because no matter how small a break it seems, a break is always a big shock to your body.  With bad breaks, some people pass out because the brain gets sent too many signals at once, others feel pain or other sensations in parts of your body that are nowhere near the fracture.  Other signs of a break are dizziness, sweating, thirst, pale or ashen skin, chills, and numbness or bruising around the fracture site. It is also important to try and get treatment for breaks as soon as you can because breaks that are not properly cared for can limit movement ability and cause deformities once they have healed.

How do I treat these injuries?
       
            Now here’s what to do if someone has broken a bone.  First and foremost, Stay Calm!  Your staying calm will help to keep the person suffering the break stay calm and comfortable.  Next, call 911 or get to an ER.  If you are out of reach (say you’re camping in some remote area) and cannot get to help, or are instructed by a trained professional, only then should you begin the following steps. It is very important to note the following:

•  If you think the person may have injured their back, neck, or head DO NOT move them unless it is Absolutely Necessary!

• Try not to move the broken limb, as it could cause more damage and pain.

If you cannot reach help, or have been instructed to administer aid, here are the following steps for helping the person in need:

1.     Make the person as comfortable as possible before immobilizing the injured area.

2.     To keep the area from moving you’ll have to make a splint.  This works with leg and arm breaks where the arm is not bent.  This can be done using a variety of materials such as boards, rolled newspapers, sticks, an umbrella, rolled blankets etc.  Place the item around the injury and gently secure it with rope, strips of cloth, a tie; whatever you have available.

3.     If the above materials are unavailable, and the injury involves limbs, you may tape or tie the injured leg to the uninjured one, tape an injured arm to the chest, or to the side of the body (surround the limb with padding first) depending upon whether the elbow is bent.

4.     After you have wrapped and splinted the limb, check for a pulse.  If you cannot find one then it means the bonds are too tight and must be loosened.  Because fractures cause swelling you should check this often to make sure the person remains comfortable.  Other signs that the splint is too tight are a numbness, tingling, or bluish tint to the skin at the sight of the break.

5.     If the person has broken their arm and the arm is bent at the elbow then take a cloth and fold it into a triangle.  Then gently slip the widest part under the arm and tie the two ends around the neck, forming a makeshift sling.  You want the arm resting at a 90 ^o  angle.

6.     To keep the swelling and pain down, apply an ice pack, ice wrapped in a cloth, or, if all else fails, a bag of frozen vegetables.  Do not keep the ice on for much longer than 20 minutes as it can cause numbness and discomfort.

7.     Unless the person is bleeding, aspirin, ibuprofen, or another pain reliever may be used to ease the pain.

Healing Process:

            Once you have received professional help for a broken bone, the healing process can begin.  Some bones are placed in a sling, others in a cast and depending upon the severity of the break can be in a cast for a few weeks or several months. Sometimes with more severe fractures, where the bone is crushed or broken into several pieces a steel pin is used to help repair the bone and set it in place.  When the cast comes off you may notice that the area underneath the cast looks pale, dry, and smaller (where the muscles are).  Don’t worry this is only temporary.  It’s good to remember that even though you are out of a cast or sling, your bone is still very weak and sensitive and it’s a good idea to avoid sports and activities where you might re-injure yourself until your doctor tells you it’s ok.

Safety Tip:

         When you’re able to get back into the sports arena, remember, to avoid breaking another bone always play it safe! Wear any protective gear available when participating in any activity that can cause serious injury.  Helmets, pads, face guards, and most importantly Seat Belts!  Many states these days make wearing your seat belt a law, but don’t just do it because it’s the law, do it because it could save your life!  If you’re driving a car and want to cut down on the risk of serious injury in case of an accident, make sure all your passengers are buckled up before you start the car.  Remember, it’s not just a safety tip… it’s the law!