If a bone breaks, it’s called a fracture. If a bone has been knocked out of its normal position, it’s called a dislocation. A person who has fractured or dislocated a bone may need your help until an ambulance arrives.

Quick help 

  • Call 111 for an ambulance immediately if: 
    • The person has a fractured thigh (the part of the leg above the knee). 
    • The person is in severe pain. 
    • There is a lot of bleeding that won’t stop. 
  • DO NOT attempt to put a dislocated bone back into it's position - that might make it worse.
  • Check that the person is happy for you to touch them before you give first aid. If they are unconscious and you need to check for injuries or give lifesaving first aid, then don’t delay.
  • Support the injured area with a pillow or soft padding.  
  • Do not move the injured area. 

 

Fractures 

A fracture is when the bone is broken. 

A ‘closed’ fracture is when the person’s skin is not broken and there’s no cut. 

An ‘open’ fracture is when the person’s bone has cut through their skin. 

Dislocations 

Dislocations are when bones are pulled out of their normal position.  


What to look for

Pain: The injured area hurts.

Swelling or bruises: Lumps or bumps around the injured area.

Deformity: The injured area seems crooked or a different shape than the uninjured area on the other side.

Difficulty moving: The person can’t move the injured part of their body normally.

A wound: The person’s bone may have broken through their skin.

Pins and needles: The person might have pins and needles, or their skin feels prickly or numb. 

Grating: The person might feel like their bones are scraping against each other.

A breaking sound: The person might have heard or felt the bone break.

 

How you can help - Fractures

Fractured thigh  

  • The thigh is the part of your leg above your knee.  
  • The thighbone (called the femur) is a large bone, and a fracture could be serious. 

 

Fractured face or jaw 

  • If there is a cut, stop any bleeding by pressing around the injury with a clean cloth. (Don’t press on the injury.) 
  • If the person is conscious let them rest in a position that’s comfortable for them. 
  • If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, put the person on their side with their chin tilted up and mouth towards the ground (the recovery position). 

 

Fractured arm, wrist, or collarbone 

  • If there is a cut, stop any bleeding by pressing around the injury with a clean cloth. (Do not press on the injury.) 
  • Put the person in a position that’s comfortable for them and keep them still. 
  • Use a pillow or folded clothes to support the person’s arm. 
  • Make a sling to support their arm.

 

Fractured ribs 

  • Put the person in a position that’s comfortable for them and keep them still.
  • Arrange for the person to see a doctor as soon as possible. 

 

Fractured ankle 

It can be difficult to tell whether an ankle is fractured or twisted. If you’re not sure, do the following (R.I.C.E): 

  1. REST: make the person comfortable and keep them still.

  2. ICE: put ice wrapped in a cloth or something very cold on the ankle (to reduce swelling).

  3. COMPRESSION: wrap the ankle in a clean elastic bandage but not too tight.

  4. ELEVATION: keep the ankle propped up with a pillow or folded clothes underneath. 

How you can help - Dislocations

Dislocated shoulder 

  • DO NOT try to put the dislocated shoulder back into its normal position – that might make it worse. 

  • Keep the person still and comfortable. 
  • Use a pillow or folded clothes to support the person’s arm. 
  • Make a sling to support their arm, but don’t move their shoulder. 

 

Dislocated ankle, knee, or hip 

  • DO NOT try to put the dislocated bone back into its normal position – that might make it worse. 

  • Keep the person still and make them comfortable. 
  • Use a pillow or folded clothes to support the person’s leg.

 

Dislocated hands, fingers, or toes 

  • DO NOT try to put the dislocated bone back into its normal position – that might make it worse. 
  • Keep the person still and make them comfortable. 
  • Wrap plenty of soft material (a bandage or cloth) around their hand or fingers.  
  • Make a sling to support their hand, but be careful not to touch their hand or fingers when you tie the knot. 
  • For toes, lie the person down and put a pillow or folded clothes under their foot. 
  • Put ice wrapped in a cloth or something very cold on their toes (to stop swelling). 

 

If you have a person in urgent need of medical attention, call 111 now.

 

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