If you should happen to be present when someone has a broken bone, or you’re the one with the broken bone, there are certain steps you should take. Ultimately, you want to reduce the risk of worsening the issue. Additionally, as soon as possible, you want to go or take the other person to a center for orthopedic sports medicine.
Handling Emergency Broken Bones
This pertains to situations when you’re caring for an injured person who requires emergency help. In these situations, you don’t want to move the person.
Unconsciousness
First, check to see if the person is responsive, breathing, and able to move. Take the person’s pulse if he or she isn’t responsive. If there isn’t a heartbeat, you should call 9-1-1 and begin CPR if you are CPR-certified.
Serious Injury
You also want to call 9-1-1 if the person is bleeding heavily, he or she has a joint deformity, or the person has a bone that has come through the skin. Other possible situations that require emergency medical personnel include an extremity injury where the injured person is either turning blue or numb, the suspected broken bone is in the person’s head, or when even gentle pressure causes excruciating pain. You will also need to call for emergency help if the individual appears to have back or neck pain because that could mean a spinal cord injury.
If the person is bleeding profusely, apply a clean compress to the area to slow the bleeding.
Don’t try to reposition a bone if the person has a bone deformity or other similar injury. Have an ice pack wrapped in a towel and apply on the area especially if there’s swelling. This will also help manage pain.
Handling Non-Emergency Broken Bones
Any broken bone requires immediate attention but may not warrant emergency handling. Therefore, if someone has a broken bone without any of the aforementioned complications, the first step is to search for a bone doctor near you or search the internet for “bone doctor near me.”
Before going to a center for orthopedic and sports medicine, you want to get an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to ease swelling and pain. You may want to use a splint on the injured area to hold it still. You can also make one using a board to support the area and then wrapping it with tape or an elastic bandage.
If it’s you who’s the injured person, you need to move carefully and slowly to avoid hurting the wound and drive yourself to the doctor only if you’re physically capable of it. Call someone who can take you to the physician’s office if you can’t drive yourself on your own.
If another person is injured, get him/her to the car without putting too much pressure on the injured area or Avoid moving the injured person too much.
Why Choose Center for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in San Antonio, TX
First and foremost, the Center for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in San Antonio, TX, has skilled practitioners specializing in orthopedic medicine. You, or whoever you bring to the office, will receive expert care from these expert practitioners.
Schedule an appointment today for broken bone repair from the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, serving San Antonio and the surrounding TX area, by calling 210-692-7400. You can also schedule an appointment via our online scheduling form.
