Overview
A broken bone, also called a fracture, is a break in a bone of any size, from a small crack to a bone snapped in two. Most breaks happen when a bone takes more force than it can bear, such as a fall, a road accident or a heavy blow.
A break is open when the bone pushes through the skin, which needs urgent care. A stress fracture is a small crack from the same strain repeated again and again.
Symptoms
Signs of a broken bone can include:
- Pain, which may be severe
- Swelling and bruising
- Trouble moving the part or putting weight on it
- A limb that looks bent, twisted, shorter or out of place
- Numbness or tingling
- A wound with bone showing
A stress fracture builds up slowly over a few weeks, in the foot, ankle, shin or hip. A break can be hard to tell from a bad sprain or a dislocation, so an X-ray is usually needed.
When to see a doctor
Any other suspected break also needs prompt care and an X-ray. A child who will not use an arm or leg after a fall should be seen too. Get advice if swelling is getting worse, or a cast feels too tight or loose, smells bad, or the fingers or toes become numb, swollen or change colour.
Causes
Common causes are falls, road accidents, sports injuries and direct blows. Repeated strain, such as long-distance running, can cause stress fractures.
Bones weakened by osteoporosis break more easily, sometimes after a minor fall.
Risk factors
- Older age, when bones are more likely to be weak and falls are more common
- Osteoporosis (thin, fragile bones)
- Falls on loose rugs, wet floors or uneven ground
- Contact sports, cycling or skating without protective gear
- Poor eyesight, or medicines that cause dizziness or confusion
Complications
Most broken bones heal well. Possible problems include:
- Stiffness and weakness for some months after the cast comes off
- Infection, especially if the skin was broken or the cast is scratched or gets wet
- Poor blood flow or nerve damage, shown by numbness, tingling or a pale or blue limb
- In older adults, a higher chance of another break in the next year or two
Prevention
- Prevent falls with good lighting, no loose rugs or cords, non-slip mats and handrails
- Wear helmets and pads for cycling, skating and contact sports
- Childproof the home and supervise young children
- Eat a balanced diet with protein, calcium and vitamin D
- Stay active with strength and balance exercises
- Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, and have your eyesight checked
Diagnosis
A doctor asks how the injury happened and examines the injured part. An X-ray shows whether a bone is broken, where, and whether the pieces have moved.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which bone is broken and how. The aim is to hold the pieces in the right position while the bone heals. A splint and pain relief are usually given first, and if the bones have moved a doctor may move them back into place.
Many breaks heal in a plaster cast or splint. Serious breaks may need surgery to fix the bone with plates, rods or screws. Stress fractures are treated by resting from the activity that caused them.
Arm and leg breaks usually take about 6 to 12 weeks to heal, and longer if the injury was severe. Physiotherapy can help restore strength. Ask the doctor before going back to sport or heavy work.
Myths and facts
Things people often say about this. Open each one to see what is true.
Myth“If I can still move it or walk on it, it cannot be broken.”What is true?
Fact
A break can be hard to spot, and it can be mistaken for a bad sprain or a dislocation, especially in the wrist. A stress fracture builds up slowly over weeks. An X-ray is usually needed to be sure, so get the injury checked.
Myth“A local bone-setter can set it by pulling, pressing or massaging, and a tight bandage is enough.”What is true?
Fact
A broken bone needs an X-ray to show where it is broken and whether the pieces have moved. The advice is to keep the limb still and supported and not to try to straighten it. A doctor can hold the bone in the right position with a cast, splint or surgery.
Myth“Once the cast is off, the bone is back to normal and I can do everything again.”What is true?
Fact
The bone may be healed, but the limb can stay stiff and weak for months after the cast comes off. Physiotherapy can help, and it is best to ask the doctor before going back to sport or heavy work.
Myth“A bone that breaks after a small fall is just bad luck.”What is true?
Fact
A break after a minor fall can be a sign of weak bones, such as osteoporosis, which often causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. It is worth telling the doctor, who may suggest tests and ways to protect your bones.
Questions to ask your doctor
Tick the ones you want answered and take them with you.
Common questions
How can I tell whether a bone is broken or just badly bruised or sprained?
You cannot always tell from the outside. Pain, swelling, bruising and trouble using the limb can happen with a break, a bad sprain or a dislocation, and a broken wrist in particular can look like a sprain. An X-ray is usually needed to find out, so see a doctor if you are unsure.
What should I do while waiting for medical help?
Keep the limb still and support it, for example with a towel sling or padding. Press a clean cloth on any bleeding, and cover an open wound with a clean dressing without probing it. Do not try to straighten the bone, and avoid eating or drinking in case surgery is needed.
How long does a broken bone take to heal?
Arm and leg breaks usually take about 6 to 12 weeks, and longer if the injury was severe. Stiffness and weakness can last for months after a cast comes off, and physiotherapy may help. Ask your doctor before returning to contact sports or heavy work.
Why did my bone break after a minor fall?
A break after a small fall can be a sign of weak bones, for example from osteoporosis. Osteoporosis often causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. Tell the doctor, who may suggest tests and ways to protect your bones.