Common Mistakes to Avoid During Fracture Care

Improper handling of fractures can cause additional damage, increase pain, and lead to complications. Know what NOT to do.

Critical Mistakes:

1. Moving Without Splinting

- Can damage blood vessels and nerves - Increases pain dramatically - May convert closed to open fracture - Can cause bone ends to shift - Always immobilize first

2. Trying to Straighten Deformity

- Only trained professionals should realign - May damage blood vessels - Could trap nerves - Extremely painful - Splint in position found

3. Applying Splint Too Tightly

- Cuts off circulation - Causes additional tissue damage - Increases swelling - May cause permanent damage - Check pulse after splinting

4. Testing for Fracture by Moving

- Never manipulate to "see if broken" - Causes unnecessary pain - Can worsen injury - If it might be broken, treat as broken - Let X-rays determine

DO vs. DON'T Comparison List:

| DO | DON'T | |---|---| | Splint in position found | Try to straighten deformity | | Check pulse before/after splinting | Apply splint too tightly | | Pad bony areas | Forget to immobilize joints above/below | | Control bleeding first | Press on protruding bones | | Remove jewelry before swelling | Move to test if broken | | Monitor circulation every 15 min | Give food/water if surgery likely | | Keep person warm | Massage the injury | | Document time of injury | Delay calling 911 for serious fractures |

Dangerous Assumptions:

"If They Can Move It, It's Not Broken"

- Many fractures still allow movement - Incomplete fractures common - Pain may limit testing - Only X-ray can confirm

"No Swelling Means No Fracture"

- Swelling may take hours - Deep fractures may not swell much - Elderly have less swelling - Some locations swell minimally

"Young Bones Don't Break Easily"

- Children's bones break differently - Greenstick fractures common - Growth plate injuries serious - May have less obvious symptoms