What are the signs and symptoms of a broken bone?

One of our recent patients-Ravi K Singh (name changed for privacy) ran to catch the bus but tripped. Pain shot through his leg. Was it just a sprain? His ankle swelled, turning blue. He tried to walk—his leg felt weak and bent oddly. Should he wait and see? Engrossed in work and home responsibilities, Ravi took painkillers instead of visiting the doctor; days passed, but the pain worsened. Suddenly he was feeling feverish; that’s when his mother took him to the doctor. “It’s a bone fracture,” the doctor said. “Why didn’t you come earlier? A broken bone needs immediate care even if it’s a hairline crack.”

Ravi’s cracked bone had started healing wrong. Now, Ravi needed surgery. He could have easily averted it, if only he had not ignored the sure shot symptoms of bone fracture  – swelling, pain and odd shape!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO):

1. 1. Just in 2024 alone, there were 178 million new fractures globally. This marked a 33.4% increase since 1990
2. 2. The same year, 455 million people were living with acute or long-term fracture symptoms. This also saw a 70.1% rise since 1990.

Untreated bone fractures can lead to critical complications:

1. 1. Improper healing
2. 2. Chronic pain
3. 3. Increased mortality risk, especially if the fracture is of the rib-cage or pelvic region. 

What is a bone fracture?

A bone fracture is a medical condition, when a bone cracks a bit or completely breaks. This can occur due to

1. 1. Some trauma
2. 2. Certain forceful stress
3. 3. Medical conditions like osteoporosis
4. 4. Due to falls
5. 5. Accidents or sports injuries.

Now some people might face certain other typical situations which may or may not be a bone fracture. So let’s simplify this for the common man:

1. 1. Fracture vs. Break means the same thing. A fracture is just the medical term for a broken bone, whether you have a small crack or a complete break.
2. 2. Fracture vs. Break means the same thing. A fracture is just the medical term for a broken bone, whether you have a small crack or a complete break.
3. 3. Fracture vs. Sprain – A sprain is when ligaments (the tissues connecting bones) are stretched or torn. Sprains cause swelling and pain but don’t involve broken bones. Symptoms of bone fracture are more severe.
   

Types of Bone Fractures

1. Simple Fracture (Closed Fracture)

1. – In Simple Bone Fractures, the bone breaks but does not pierce the skin.
2. – Common causes of simple bone fractures: Falls, direct blows and sports injuries.
3. – Symptoms of bone fracture here areS swelling, pain, bruising and difficulty moving the affected part.

2. Compression Fracture

1. – This happens when a bone (usually a spinal bone) is crushed or squeezed due to too much impact.
2. – Common in osteoporosis patients and older adults.
3. – Causes of bone fractures in this case are weak bones, falls, or car accidents.
4. – Symptoms of bone fracture here are shooting back pain, loss of height and hunched posture.
5. – Healing Time: Months; may require surgery, bracing, or physical therapy.

3. Impacted Fracture

1. – It happens when a broken piece of bone gets lodged into another part of the same bone.
2. – Causes of bone fractures in this case are trauma impacts like car accidents or falls from heights.
3. – Symptoms of bone fracture here are excruciating pain, swelling and visible organ deformity.

4. Avulsion Fracture

1. – It happens when a tendon or ligament tugs off a small piece of bone due to sudden force.
2. – his one’s common in athletes, especially in the ankle region, knees and hips/pelvic region.
3. – Symptoms of bone fracture in this case are deep-rooted sharp pain, acute swelling and limited movement of the impacted organ.
4. – This also heals in 6–8 weeks, with possible surgery if severe.

Whatever be the types of bone fractures, we are now sharing the key symptoms to identify these and reach the doctor quickly.

Symptoms of a Bone Fracture

1. Pain

Pain is the most immediate and obvious symptom. It is usually quite intense and it will worsen with any kind of body/ affected organ movement or pressure on the impacted area.

2. Swelling

The body reacts to any injury by shooting lymph and white blood cells to the area, to heal it. Symptoms of bone fracture here are swelling and puffiness, due to accumulation of these two.

3. Tenderness

Tenderness or the impacted areas becoming sensitive to touch. Even light pressure can cause pain or uneasiness. This is quite common like when you accidentally hit your shin against a table and fracture it. Even gently touching the area will hurt.

4. Inability to Move Normally

Due to pain and instability. From a simple cracked finger to a lower limb fracture, the pain might prevent you from gripping objects like a pen or phone/ move around to the washroom, respectively.

5. Bruising or Discoloration

Which means the blood from injured vessels collects under the skin, leading to purple, blue or black bruising. For instance, suppose you break your toe, it may turn dark purple within a few hours.

6. Deformity or Unusual Bump

Which is often caused due to bone misalignment or bone protrusions that aren’t normally present during a simple injury. You can see an under-the-skin lump.

Causes of Bone Fractures

1. Car Accidents

High-impact crashes put extreme pressure on bones, often causing severe fractures. In the U.S., vehicle accidents are responsible for 46–84% of hip dislocations. This data is beyond that of pelvic and other types of bone fractures.

2. Falls

Slipping or falling from a height is a major cause of fractures, especially in older adults. In India alone, more than 50,000 hospital admissions occur annually daily due to hip fractures, a number expected to double by 2060.

3. Sports Injuries

Sudden impacts, twists or falls in sports lead to fractures. Certain sports have a higher risk of specific fractures. For more details into how to escape sports injuries or identify them. Wearing safety gear and staying fit can help prevent fractures.

How to Diagnose Bone Fractures?

As soon as you see the Symptoms of bone fracture, you will need a correct and immediate diagnosis. Doctors use several methods to confirm a fracture and understand its severity.

1. X-rays

X-rays are the most common and quickest way to detect fractures. X-rays use radiation to create images of bones, showing breaks, cracks or dislocations.

2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is done when sometimes; fractures don’t appear clearly on X-rays. This is when types of bone fractures are hairline fractures or soft tissue injuries. MRI scans use strong magnets and radio waves to give a detailed image of bones, muscles and ligaments, especially during sports injuries and accident cases.

3. CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

CT scan this is done to get a 3D view of bones. It helps detect complex or small fractures that may not be visible on X-rays. For instance, a spinal or skull fracture may require a CT scan for precise diagnosis.

4. Bone Scan

Bone scan is done when bone fractures are too small to be seen on X-rays. A special dye highlights bone damage that is not visible otherwise, like multiple tiny fractures of the toe or that of the spine, skull bone etc.

Early diagnosis will prevent complications and long-term damage. If you suspect symptoms of bone fracture, we are here to help you 24X7!!