Call 911 right away if:
- A bone is poking through the skin, or there is heavy bleeding
- The person isn’t responding, isn’t breathing, or is going into shock (pale, clammy, confused, breathing fast)
- You think the head, neck, back, hip, pelvis, or upper leg may be broken
- The arm or leg below the injury is cold, blue, pale, or numb
- Even gentle pressure or movement causes severe pain, or the person was in a serious crash or fall
Signs of a broken bone include pain, swelling, bruising, an arm or leg that looks bent or out of place, and trouble moving or putting weight on it. It can be hard to tell a break from a bad sprain, so get it checked.
What to do
- Stop any bleeding. Press on the wound with a clean cloth.
- Don’t move the person if you think the head, neck, or back is hurt, unless they are in danger. Call 911.
- Keep the injured area still. Don’t try to straighten the bone or push it back in.
- Make a splint if you are trained and you need to move the person. Pad a stiff object (like a board or rolled-up newspaper) and tie it so it holds the joint above and below the injury. Don’t tie it so tight that it cuts off blood flow.
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for up to 20 minutes at a time to ease pain and swelling.
- Watch for shock. If the person feels faint, is pale, or is breathing fast, have them lie flat on their back. Raise their legs only if it doesn’t cause pain and you don’t think the legs, hips, or back are hurt. Keep them warm.
Avoid
- Don’t let the person eat or drink if the break is serious — they may need surgery.
- Don’t test the bone by having the person move it.
See a doctor or go to urgent care if:
- You have pain, swelling, or bruising and can’t use the area normally, even if it doesn’t look out of place
- You can’t put weight on a leg or foot, or a finger or toe looks crooked