Fractures
Overview
- If you suspect someone has broken a bone (due to clinical features such as pain when touching the area, a snapping or grinding noise, swelling and deformity or unnatural movement, shock), they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A very severe break, such as a broken neck or back, should always be managed by calling 999
- Ascertaining information about the patient’s medical history could be useful to help reach a diagnosis (for example, older people are more prone to falls, certain medicines will cause drowsiness or dizziness which increase the risk of falls, and various medical conditions including osteoporosis and multiple myeloma are associated with fractures)
Management (St John’s Ambulance guidance)
- Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and secure it with a bandage (if it is an open fracture) and apply some pressure around the wound to control bleeding
- Support the injured area to prevent it moving (an arm that is potentially fractured can be secured with a sling while a leg that is potentially fractured can be tied to the healthy leg)
- Do not move the person (while waiting for help) unless they are in imminent danger
- Monitor them for signs of shock; if they lose responsiveness, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat them if they become unresponsive (see CPR section)
- It is important to advise the person with the break/suspected break not to eat or drink anything since surgery and a general anaesthetic may be required
Important note
- NHS warns that delaying seeking timely medical advice and treatment could result in the person developing an infection or a permanent deformity or problem with the joints