Broken Bones: When to go to hospital
Broken bones or fractures can happen in a number of different ways and for a number of different reasons. The question many people these days are asking is, “ Do I need to go to the Emergency Room for a bone fracture or can my local Urgent Care treat it?” Knowing the difference could save you valuable time, and help you avoid being in a stressful situation. If you can visibly see the bone fracture or your limbs look deformed in anyway, it is always the best course of action to call 000 right away so that they can take you to the nearest emergency room.
Bone Fracture Emergency
Until you see a medical professional you will not know for certain that your bone is broken. If you can see the bone and deep tissue penetrating the skin, you need to visit your nearest Emergency Room as fast as possible. For simple fractures, knowing if the bone really is “broken” is a little more difficult. Some common symptoms for bone fractures include:
- Bleeding at the site of the injury
- Numbness around the injured area
- A bluish colour or swelling
- A visible deformity at the injury site
- Bone protruding through the skin (compound fracture)
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms it is important to go to an emergency room as soon as you can or call 000, if you do not have a ride. If you are not sure whether the bone is broken the first thing to remember is the POLICE and NO HARM principles.
Bone Fractures That Need Emergency Care
Since there are many different types of fractures and reasons for said fractures, the care and treatment for them can vary. All fractures fall into two categories, regardless of cause, those are:
- Compound – Compound Fractures are fractures that penetrate the skin, exposing the bone and deep tissues. These are also referred to as open fractures.
- Simple – Fractures that are classified in this category include all fractures that do not penetrate the skin, thus remaining inside the body. (These types of fractures are sometimes difficult to diagnose without an X-ray or CT Scan).
Within these two categories, many different fractures can occur, those include:
- Transverse Fractures – These fractures form to the long axis of a bone resulting from force applied from the right angle of the bone.
- Spiral Fractures – Are the result of extreme twisting exerted onto the bone.
- Oblique Fractures – When force is applied at any other angle than a right angle, Oblique Fractures occur. This results in a slanted fracture.
- Greenstick Fractures – These types of fractures are only found in children because their bones are much more flexible than adult bones. Since they are so flexible, Greenstick Fractures only partially break a bone or just occur on one side of the bone.
- Comminuted Fractures – When the bone fracture occurs in many different places in the bone.
- Avulsion Fractures – These types of fractures can occur when extreme force is applied to a tendon or ligament. Avulsion Fractures are when small piece of bone is actually torn from the rest of the bone.
Emergency Room Treatment For Broken Bones
Depending on the severity of the bone fracture will determine the course of action your emergency room physician takes. In general, first you will be given a thorough assessment, so the doctor can find out what type of fracture you have. Thereon, possible treatment options include:
- Bone Alignment (Reduction) – If the bone has moved out of alignment as a result of the injury, your doctor may need to “set” the bone back into place for correct reunion.
- Splints – Less severe fractures can be given the support of a splint, and heal on their own without need for surgery of any kind.
- Casts – Some broken bones will require casts which usually take about six to eight weeks to heal.
- Surgery – Certain injuries may require a surgery and the surgical procedure depends on the type and severity of your fracture.
- Pain Medication – Some broken bones, like ribs and the tailbone just need time to heal on their own. In these cases, patients are mostly prescribed pain medication to deal with the discomfort.
Most ER physicians will suggest or require post-fracture physiotherapy to build up strength, so another fracture is less likely to occur.
Bone Fracture Urgent Care – When Not To Go To The Emergency Room
If you think you may have fractured a bone, but aren’t experiencing the typical symptoms associated with bone fractures, you may visit an Urgent Care provider and have them check your injury. You will likely need an X-Ray or CT Scan to diagnose if the bone is broken. Many patients who suffer sprains or pulled muscles, also experience extreme pain and may think that the bone is broken. Urgent Care physicians can diagnose the injury and provide waterproof casts, removable boots, splints, braces, or other forms of support for injured bones.
Is a broken bone an emergency?
Not every fracture is an emergency but you may need urgent care. This means that you do not need to visit a hospital’s emergency department, unless you can clearly see the broken bone deformed or its an open wound where the bone has torn through the skin. In this case its best to call 000 or visit your nearest ED.
How can I be sure that I am getting the right treatment?
Some fractures can be hard to identify and you may need a second opinion. Once you’ve immobilised the injury, you can come in for a second opinion. At the Fracture Clinic we have a team of highly qualified doctors and nurses that treat broken bones everyday. We will be able to answer any and all of the questions you may have about fractured bones.
