Tell-Tale Signs of a Broken Bone

woman on the ground after an injury

How to Know if your Bone is Broken?

You know what they say about sticks and stones? Well, a broken bone really hurts! Bookmark this easy guide of the signs of a broken bone to know what to do if you or someone you love ever has an accident in the future. Bone fractures, like most other injuries, vary in severity, and diagnosing is not easy without the use of advanced imaging technology like X-rays.

Some folks believe they can tell if a bone is broken by whether the patient can use it or put weight on it or not. Unfortunately, that is a myth; it’s surprising how often people who have a broken bone don’t even realize it because they can move it.

That is why it’s important to know the signs of a broken bone and get the issue fixed before it becomes an even bigger problem.

child who fell off a skateboard

Signs of a Broken Bone

1. Bruising and Discoloration

Most of us tend to ignore our bruises thinking they are not that big of a deal, but they could be the first sign that your fall or accident led to a broken bone.

Bruising occurs when tissue capillaries get damaged, and blood leaks out of them. The bigger the bruising area is, the more likely damage involves deep tissue, possibly bone deep.

2. Swelling

There are many reasons behind swelling, but when it occurs after a trauma, it could be a sign of a broken bone. Swelling occurs when fluids and sometimes blood from an injury start to leak into the surrounding soft tissue like muscle, fat, and skin. The extra fluids cause the tissue to swell and become hard and painful to touch.

3. Deformity

If your injured arm, leg, hand, or foot look deformed, chances are you broke it. If your arm or leg bends in strange ways, this is a clear indicator that you need to come into the nearest Altus Emergency Center to get this issue fixed.

broken clavicle x-ray

4. Crepitus

This word sound ominous and it is. Crepitus is when you can feel or hear crunching beneath your skin. Trust us when we say, that’s not supposed to exist anywhere in your body; and if it does, then this is a sign there are broken pieces of bone rubbing against one another.

5. Loss of Function

Loss of function is an indicator that something is not right, and your injury could have caused a bone to break. If you cannot move your arm, hand, leg, or foot, then you need to be seen by one of our doctors as soon as possible.

man receiving physical therapy

Remember being able to walk or move your injured limb does not mean you do not have a fractured bone if you are in severe pain and are experiencing any of the above signs you need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

Know Where to Go in Case of an Emergency

When to Go to the ER

You should rush to the nearest Altus Emergency Center if you experience any of the following after a fall or other trauma:

  • Heavy Bleeding at the site of the injury
  • Numbness in the injured or surrounding area
  • The area turns a bluish color
  • Severe swelling
  • A visible deformity at the injury site
  • Bone protruding through the skin (Open fracture)
woman's foot in a pink cast

Dislocations

You should also come in if you have a dislocated joint. In many ways, a dislocated joint can be even worse than some types of fractures. Dislocations are serious orthopedic injuries, and they happen when a joint such as a knee or shoulder become severely misaligned.

Dislocations always involve deformity and can cause stretching or even tearing of ligaments and tendons. These types of injuries will always require emergency medical attention.

The only sure way to know if you have a broken bone or another type of orthopedic injury is with advanced imaging tests like X-rays, MRI’s, and ultrasounds.

At Altus Emergency Centers we have invested heavily in the most advanced diagnostic technologies available. This equipment allows our physicians to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of our valued patients.

woman with an injured shoulder
Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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