A fracture isalso calleda brokenbone. A fracture isalso calleda brokenbone.
A brokenbone isoftencaused by afall, aninjury or anaccident. A brokenbone isoftencaused by afall, aninjury or anaccident.
You mayneed anx-ray tosee if youhavebrokenyourbone. You mayneed anx-ray tosee if youhavebrokenyourbone.
After yourbone(s) areput back inplace, youmay have acast or splintto keep theinjuredbone(s) frommoving. After yourbone(s) areput back inplace, youmay have acast or splintto keep theinjuredbone(s) frommoving.
If you have a bad break andother injuries, you mayneed to have surgery andstay in the hospital.If you have a bad break andother injuries, you mayneed to have surgery andstay in the hospital.
Mostbonesheal in6-8weeks. Mostbonesheal in6-8weeks.
Signs of FracturesSigns of Fractures
The areanear thebrokenbonemayThe areanear thebrokenbonemay
•Hurt•Hurt
The area nearthe brokenbone mayThe area nearthe brokenbone may
•Feel weak•Feel weak
•Feel numb ortingle•Feel numb ortingle
The area nearthe brokenbone mayThe area nearthe brokenbone may
•Be swollen orbruised•Be swollen orbruised
•Bleed if theskin is broken•Bleed if theskin is broken
•Look bent ifthe bones areout of place•Look bent ifthe bones areout of place
The areanear thebrokenbone may The areanear thebrokenbone may
•Be hard tomove•Be hard tomove
Your CareYour Care
Keep theinjured arearaised aboveyour heartas much aspossible toreduceswelling.Keep theinjured arearaised aboveyour heartas much aspossible toreduceswelling.
Your Care: Your Care:
Use pillows to raise your injuredhand or foot above the level ofyour heart. Use pillows to raise your injuredhand or foot above the level ofyour heart.
Your Care:Your Care:
Use ice tolessen painand swellingfor the next 1-2days. Put thebag of ice onthe cast orsplint over theinjury for 15-20minutes everyhour. Use ice tolessen painand swellingfor the next 1-2days. Put thebag of ice onthe cast orsplint over theinjury for 15-20minutes everyhour.
Your Care:Your Care:
Take yourmedi-cines asdirected. Take yourmedi-cines asdirected.
If you have a castIf you have a cast
Check theskin aroundthe castevery day.Call yourdoctor ifyou havered or sorespots. Check theskin aroundthe castevery day.Call yourdoctor ifyou havered or sorespots.
If you havea cast: If you havea cast:
Put lotionon dryareas Put lotionon dryareas
If you have acast: If you have acast:
Sprinkle asmallamount ofcornstarchor talc underthe cast tosoothe theskin. Sprinkle asmallamount ofcornstarchor talc underthe cast tosoothe theskin.
If you have a cast: If you have a cast:
Do not use lotion or powdersif you have blisters orstitches on your skin underthe cast Do not use lotion or powdersif you have blisters orstitches on your skin underthe cast
If you have acast: If you have acast:
Use a hairdryer daily,set on cool.This keepsyour cast dry,comfortableand helpsrelieveitching. Use a hairdryer daily,set on cool.This keepsyour cast dry,comfortableand helpsrelieveitching.
If you have a cast: If you have a cast:
Call your doctor if your cast fitsloosely. The cast can slidearound causing skin irritation. Call your doctor if your cast fitsloosely. The cast can slidearound causing skin irritation.
If you have a cast: If you have a cast:
Exercise your fingers ortoes. This improves bloodflow and helps healing. Exercise your fingers ortoes. This improves bloodflow and helps healing.
If you havea cast: If you havea cast:
Use a nailfile to fileroughedges onyour cast. Use a nailfile to fileroughedges onyour cast.
If you have a cast: If you have a cast:
Do not scratch the skin underyour cast with sharp orpointed objects. Do not scratch the skin underyour cast with sharp orpointed objects.
If you havea cast: If you havea cast:
Do not putpressureon anypart ofyour castor splint asit maybreak. Do not putpressureon anypart ofyour castor splint asit maybreak.
If you have acast: If you have acast:
Keep your castor splint dry byputting aplastic bagover it whenbathing. Keep your castor splint dry byputting aplastic bagover it whenbathing.
Use a hairdryer if yourcast gets wet. Use a hairdryer if yourcast gets wet.
If you have acast: If you have acast:
Call yourdoctor or clinicto schedule anappointment toget your castremoved afterthe bone hashealed. Call yourdoctor or clinicto schedule anappointment toget your castremoved afterthe bone hashealed.
Call your doctor rightaway ifCall your doctor rightaway if
You havetroublebreathing,chest painorconfusion You havetroublebreathing,chest painorconfusion
Call your doctor right away if: Call your doctor right away if:
You have pain that does notgo away. You have pain that does notgo away.
Call your doctor right away if: Call your doctor right away if:
Your skin or nails of the injuredhand or foot are blue, grey, coldor numb. Your skin or nails of the injuredhand or foot are blue, grey, coldor numb.
Call your doctor right away if: Call your doctor right away if:
You cast gets damaged orbreaks. You cast gets damaged orbreaks.
Call yourdoctorright awayif: Call yourdoctorright awayif:
You havenew stainsor an odorcomingfrom underthe cast. You havenew stainsor an odorcomingfrom underthe cast.
Call yourdoctorright awayif: Call yourdoctorright awayif:
You haveswellingthat makesyour castfeel tootight. You haveswellingthat makesyour castfeel tootight.
Talk to your doctor ornurse if you have anyquestions or concerns. Talk to your doctor ornurse if you have anyquestions or concerns.
Answer the questionsAnswer the questions
•What is a fracture?•What is a fracture?
•What are the signs of the fracture?•What are the signs of the fracture?
•Can you use sharp or pointed objects toscratch the skin under your cast?•Can you use sharp or pointed objects toscratch the skin under your cast?
•What must you do if your cast gets wet?•What must you do if your cast gets wet?
•When must you call your doctor rightaway?•When must you call your doctor rightaway?