Broken bones are so common most people will experience at least one at some point or another in their life, especially those who participate in sports. Despite being commonplace, being able to recognize fracture warning signs so you can receive the treatment you need is still important! You should always have fractures examined by a medical professional to determine the extent of the damage and ensure proper healing.
The signs you have sustained a fracture vary. In the most severe instance, you might see the actual broken bone if you have suffered an open, compound fracture. This kind of injury will be caused by a tremendous amount of force, which is a warning sign and of itself for a potential fracture (even if the bone has not pierced the skin).
If you sustain an open fracture, do not attempt to move the bone back into place on your own. Instead, seek immediate, emergency medical care.
Fortunately, most broken bones are not open. This means you will need to rely on signs other than visual cues to know a fracture has happened. Other fracture warning signs and symptoms include:
- Severe pain. This will often intensify with movement.
- Bruising and swelling. These are signs of inflammation, as your body will start to flood the area with blood and fluids to begin natural healing processes.
- Limited or complete loss of movement. Restricted movement can either be the result of physical inability to move because of bone positioning or because it is simply too painful to move.
- Misshapen or deformed joint or bone. The fractured bone can result in an unusual appearance of an affected body part.
- Tingling or loss of sensation. Symptoms like these can be an indication a broken bone is pressing against a nerve tissue.
Generally speaking, the pain alone is enough to make you aware of an existing problem. If you have a very high pain tolerance, though, you may need to rely on the other symptoms.
When you become aware of a bone fracture in your lower limbs, come in and see us here at Advanced Foot & Ankle. Our Twin Falls and Burley offices provide foot care services for a wide range of issues, and we will assess your condition and then create an effective treatment plan to address it. Call us at (208) 731-6321 or (208)-312-4646 for more information, or request your appointment online today.
Are You Looking for Expert Foot Care in Twin Falls, ID?
If you are looking for foot care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatrist. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online our Twin Falls office at 208.731.6321.
