Treating a Fracture

It is not easy to recognize a fracture. All fractures, whether open or closed, can cause severe pain or shock. Fractures can cause the injured part to become deformed, or to take an unnatural position.

  • Compare the injured to the uninjured part if you are unsure of a deformity.
  • Pain, discoloration, and swelling may be at the fracture site.
  • There may be instability if the bone is broken clear through.
  • Victim has difficulty moving the injured part. If movement is possible, the victim may feel a grating sensation as the ends of the bones rub against each other.
  • If a bone is cracked rather than broken, the victim may be able to move the injured part without much difficulty.

An open fracture is easy to see if the end of the bone sticks out through the skin. If the bone does not stick out, you might see a wound but fail to see the broken bone. It can be difficult to tell if an injury is a fracture, dislocation, sprain, or strain.
When in doubt, splint.

If you suspect a fracture, do the following:

  1. Monitor the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
  2. Remove all jewelry from the injury site, unless the victim objects.
  3. Gently cut clothing away so that you don't move the injured part and cause further damage.
  4. Check the distal pulse of the injured part, if pulse is absent, gently move injured part to restore circulation.
  5. Cover all wounds with sterile dressings, including open fractures. Avoid excessive pressure on the wound. WARNING! Do not push bone ends back into the skin.
  6. Apply splint -
    WARNING! Do not attempt to straighten broken bones.
    1. Apply and maintain traction until the splint has been secured.
    2. Wrap from the bottom of the splint to the top, firmly but not too tight.
    3. Check the distal pulse to ensure that circulation is still present. If the pulse is absent, loosen the splint until circulation returns.
  7. Do not move the casualty until the injury has been splinted.
  8. Request medical assistance - All suspected fractures require professional medical treatment.

Splinting - Tie splint above and below the site of fracture. Don not tie directly over the fracture.