Separating a fracture from a severe sprain needs an X-ray — even doctors can't be sure by eye. So the field rule is one for both: treat every painful, deformed, or non-moving injury as a fracture until proven otherwise.

In short — what to do

  1. Immobilise the limb as it is — never try to "straighten" or "pop back" any deformity.
  2. Sling an arm with a scarf; splint a leg to the healthy leg or with an improvised splint (rolled magazine, board) with soft padding.
  3. Cloth-wrapped ice 15–20 minutes each hour, and elevate if possible — both reduce swelling and pain.
  4. Remove rings and watches now before swelling forbids it.
  5. Simple pain relief (paracetamol) is fine — and no food if the injury looks surgical.
  6. 998, not your own car, for thigh, pelvis, back or neck injuries, or severe deformity.

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Immobilise as found and never straighten — a scarf sling suffices until the X-ray
Immobilise as found and never straighten — a scarf sling suffices until the X-ray
The full details

First aid

  1. Immobilise the limb as it is — never try to "straighten" or "pop back" any deformity.
  2. Sling an arm with a scarf; splint a leg to the healthy leg or with an improvised splint (rolled magazine, board) with soft padding.
  3. Cloth-wrapped ice 15–20 minutes each hour, and elevate if possible — both reduce swelling and pain.
  4. Remove rings and watches now before swelling forbids it.
  5. Simple pain relief (paracetamol) is fine — and no food if the injury looks surgical.
  6. 998, not your own car, for thigh, pelvis, back or neck injuries, or severe deformity.

Straight to the ER if

  • Bone showing or skin broken over the fracture (open fracture) — cover with clean gauze and don't touch.
  • Coldness, blueness or numbness beyond the injury — circulation or nerves at risk.
  • Obvious deformity, or hip/thigh pain in the elderly after a fall (even if they "can walk").

Just a sprain?

RICE: rest, ice, a snug-not-strangling wrap, elevation. But pain preventing weight-bearing or not improving in 48 hours deserves an X-ray — some "sprains" are hidden fractures.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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