A fracture is a broken bone.
On this page, you can find the following information:
- What are the symptoms of a fracture?
- What should I do if someone has a fracture?
- What are the causes of fractures?
- How are fractures diagnosed?
- How are fractures treated?
- How do fractures heal?
- What is the outlook for someone with fractures?
- How can I care for myself with fractures?
- How can I prevent fractures?
Key points about broken bones
- Common causes of broken bones include injuries, weakened bones such as osteoporosis and overuse (stress fractures).
- There are many different types of fractures and they can be described in different ways.
- Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, bleeding or bruising around the injured area.
- If you think you may have a broken bone, seek medical attention immediately.
- Treatment depends on the severity and type of fracture.
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Call 111 for an ambulance if you or someone you care for experiences any of the following: |
If you suspect someone has a broken neck, broken back or a head injury, don’t move them. It is important that you keep their head, neck and spine from moving. |
What are the symptoms of a fracture?
The most common symptoms of a fracture include:
- intense and immediate pain
- swelling
- redness, bleeding, bruising and tenderness
- not being able to move or use the injured area
- tingling and numbness of the skin around or below the injured area
- the area looking out of shape or out of place
- possibly hearing or feeling your bone break.
Injuries to the head should always be treated seriously as there may be damage to the brain. Read more about head injuries.
What should I do if someone has a fracture?
If you come across someone who may have a broken bone, there are things you can do before medical help arrives.
- Find out if the person is bleeding or losing any blood. If they are bleeding, call 111 to ask for an ambulance and apply pressure directly on the wound. If you see exposed bones, apply pressure around the bone and not on top of the bone.
- Cover any wounds with a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
- Try to make the person comfortable.
- Try to keep the injured part still and support it with a pillow, a blanket, soft towel or folded clothing.
- Raise an injured arm or leg above the level of the heart if possible, to reduce swelling.
- Don't give the person anything to eat or drink as they may need to have surgery.
- Get medical help. If the person doesn't need an ambulance, drive them to your nearest urgent care clinic or hospital emergency department.
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Call 111 for an ambulance if you or someone you care for experiences any of the following: |
If you suspect someone has a broken neck, broken back or a head injury, don’t move them. It is important that you keep their head, neck and spine from moving. |
What are the causes of fractures?
The bones in your body are strong and can withstand a lot of weight and force. They bend slightly when under pressure from an external force to prevent themselves from breaking. If this force is too strong, bones can break in the same way a plastic ruler snaps when it is bent that little bit too far.
Generally, a stronger force causes a more severe fracture. A weaker force, eg, a fall, may cause your bones to crack rather than break completely. If the force is very strong, eg, in a car crash, your bones may break into many pieces.
The following are the most common causes of broken bones:
- Injury or accident – a fall, car crash or tackle during a rugby game can put very strong force on your bones and break them.
- Osteoporosis – osteoporosis weakens your bones and increases your risk of fractures and broken bones. This means a mild force that wouldn't normally harm a healthy bone can break a weaker bone. This is also called a pathological fracture.
- Overuse – repeated movements can put pressure and stress on your bones and cause stress fractures. This is more common in athletes and people who do a lot of high impact sports such as running, basketball and gymnastics.
How are fractures diagnosed?
If you think you may have a broken bone, seek medical attention immediately.
Your doctor will assess your general condition, as well as your injury. They will ask questions about how the injury happened, any other symptoms and your past medical history. They will also examine your injured area to check for signs of fractures such as swelling, tenderness or whether your limb looks deformed or out of shape.
The most common way to diagnose a fracture is by an x-ray. An x-ray shows the type of fracture and its location within your bone. Sometimes an MRI or a CT scan may be needed.
(Image credit: Canva)
How are fractures treated?
The treatment you receive depends on the severity and type of fracture. Read more about types of fracture.
- A minor fracture may be held in place with a cast or splint.
- A more severe fracture may need surgery to insert pins, plates or screws to hold your bone in place.
Treatment aims to move your broken bone back to its original position (if it is displaced) and then hold it in place to allow healing. The process of moving your bone back to its original position is called reduction and holding your bone together (stopping it from moving) is called immobilisation.
Reduction
Reduction can be done with a general anaesthetic, which puts you to sleep while the procedure is being done. It can also be done with just sedation (medicine to make you sleepy) and pain relief if your fracture is not too displaced.
Immobilisation
Your bones can be held in place to allow healing by:
- a cast – a hard protective covering made from plaster or fibreglass
- a splint or a brace – a device used to protect and support your injured area (the hard part of a splint doesn’t go all the way around your limb to allow some movement)
- a sling – a device that is used to support your shoulder and arm.
Some fractures may not need reduction and immobilisation. For fractures that are caused by weakened bones (pathological fracture) and fractures that are caused by repetitive stress, treatment may also be different.
Other treatments
Your doctor may prescribe pain relief, depending on the severity of your pain, and antibiotics if you are at increased risk of developing an infection, such as with an open fracture. You may also be referred to a physiotherapist who can teach you specific exercises to reduce joint or muscle stiffness, regain muscle strength and modify your activity while your fracture is healing.
How do fractures heal?
When your bones are put back into their original position, they can heal by forming new bone around the edge of the broken parts.
First, your body tries to protect the injured area by forming a blood clot around the fracture and sends nutrients for healing. Next, the blood clot is replaced by a soft type of bone called callus which closes the break and hardens over a few weeks. Finally, the callus is gradually replaced by new regular bone.
The video below provides more information about how fractures heal.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, US, 2017
Useful tips for a broken ankle
Sue Wells explains a few unexpected tips that helped her to get better after she broke her ankle.
(Health Navigator Charitable Trust NZ, 2015)
What is the outlook for someone with fractures?
Fractures can take a long time to heal, eg, many weeks or even months. Recovery time depends on your type of fracture, how serious it is and how closely you follow your doctor’s advice. Pain will normally stop long before your fracture is healed. However, it can take a much longer time for your fracture to be ready to cope with normal activities.
If there are complications, it may take a little longer to recover. Read more about complications of fractures.
How can I care for myself with fractures?
There are things you can do to help with your recovery, including:
- following your doctor’s advice on what activity you can and can't do while your fracture is healing
- doing gentle exercises as advised by your doctor or physiotherapist
- keeping your cast dry (if you have a cast)
- stopping smoking – smoking reduces your body’s ability to heal
- taking pain relief medicines if you have any pain (ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure which is suitable for you).
Read more recovery tips.
How can I prevent fractures?
Not all fractures can be prevented, but you can improve your bone health and reduce the risk of fractures by:
- doing regular weight-bearing exercise
- eating a balanced diet
- keeping alcohol to safe limits - less than two drinks per day and at least two alcohol-free days per week
- stopping smoking
- maintaining a healthy weight (aiming for BMI 20-25)
- getting enough vitamin D
- if you have had a fall in the past, ask your health professional for advice on falls prevention.
Read more tips to keep your bones healthy.
Learn more
The following links provide further information about fractures. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.
Broken bones (fractures) HealthInfo Canterbury, NZ
First aid – fractures and dislocation St John, NZ
Healthy bones at every age American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, US
How broken bones heal OrthoInfo, US
Hip fracture NHS, UK
Fractures (broken bones) Bupa, UK
Dealing with fractures Patient Info, UK
Fracture KidsHealth NZ
Caring for your child's cast Starship Foundation NZ
References
- All acute fractures and injuries Auckland Regional HealthPathways, NZ, 2017
- Complications from fractures Patient Info, UK
- Fractures American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, US
- Fractures Medline Plus, US
Reviewed by
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Dr Alice Miller trained as a GP in the UK and has been working in New Zealand since 2013. She has undertaken extra study in diabetes, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and skin cancer medicine. Alice has a special interest in preventative health and self-care, which she is building on by studying for the Diploma of Public Health with the University of Otago in Wellington. |