Broken Bones (Fracture)

As a caregiver, you may need to assist your loved one in the event they break or crack a Bone. The following guide will help you cope with this situation.

Broken Bone Symptoms

Symptoms of a broken bone or fracture may include:

You or your loved one hearing or feeling a bone break, an area on the body tender to touch with pain in one spot, swelling noted around a suspected fracture, a limb that is resting in an unnatural position, painful movement, abnormal motion of a limb, loss of function of a limb, grating sensation of a limb, discoloration or bruising of the affected area.

Broken Bone Treatment

Broken bone treatment includes:

1. Keep your loved one warm and still, and treat for shock if necessary. DO NOT move your loved one until a splint has been applied unless there is danger of a life-threatening emergency.
2. Splint the limb before the person is moved if a bone is suspected to be broken but does not pierce the skin(closed fracture). The way to split a limb is to   immobilize the joint above and below the suspected fracture site.
3. Apply a splint to prevent further damage if the personmust be moved. Use anything that will keep the broken bones from moving, including broomsticks, boards or rolled magazines. Pad splints with cotton, clothes or clean cloths tied firmly (but not tightly) in place. If victim complains of numbness, loosen splint.
4. Apply pressure to the appropriate pressure point to control bleeding if a broken bone pierces the skin (open or compound fracture). DO NOT try to straighten limb, return it to a natural position, or replace bone fragments. DO NOT touch or clean the wound. Secure a gauze pad or a clean cloth firmly in place over the wound and tie with rolled gauze or strong bandages or cloth strips.
5. Get professional medical help immediately.