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Signs of Fractures, Sprains and Strains
Posted: April 1, 2009
Symptoms of a broken bone, or fracture, include:
- Out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
- Swelling, bruising or bleeding
- Intense pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.
What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament (a band of fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint). The severity of the injury will depend on the extent of injury (whether a tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved.
A sprain can result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position and stretches or tears the ligament supporting that joint.
A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon (fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone). Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or it can result from a partial or complete tear.
A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains can be acute or chronic. An acute strain is associated with a recent trauma or injury; it also can occur after improperly lifting heavy objects or overstressing the muscles. Chronic strains are usually the result of overuse. Two common sites for a strain are the back and the hamstring muscle (located in the back of the thigh).
When to see a doctor:
- You have severe pain and cannot put any weight on the injured joint
- The injured area looks crooked or has lumps and bumps (other than swelling) that you do not see on the uninjured joint
- You cannot move the injured joint
- You cannot walk more than four steps without significant pain
- Your limb buckles or gives way when you try to use the joint
- You have numbness in any part of the injured area
- You see redness or red streaks spreading out from the injury
- You injure an area that has been injured several times before
- You are in doubt about the seriousness of the injury or how to care for it
It is important that moderate and severe sprains and strains be evaluated by a healthcare provider to allow prompt, appropriate treatment to begin. However, a person who has any concerns about the seriousness of a sprain or strain should always contact a provider for advice.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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