Things You Should Know About a Broken Leg
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Causes
A fall or accident is almost always the cause.
Signs/Symptoms
You’ll experience pain, swelling, bruising, and possibly bleeding. The leg may be weak or numb, or may tingle. It may look injured or out of alignment. You may have difficulty moving it, or may not be able to move it at all.
Care
The doctor will probably need to put a cast or a splint on the leg to keep the bones from moving. A serious fracture may need surgery.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
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To reduce the swelling, keep the injured leg on pillows while lying down and on a stool when sitting. -
Apply ice to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place a thin towel between the bag of ice and your cast. -
If you have a plaster or Fiberglass Cast: -
Do not try to scratch the skin under the cast by pushing a sharp or pointed object down the cast. -
Check the skin around the cast every day. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas. -
If your fiberglass cast gets a little wet, it can be dried with a hair dryer.
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If you have a plaster splint: -
Wear the splint for as long as directed or until your follow-up examination. -
You may loosen the elastic around the splint if your toes become numb or begin to tingle.
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Do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint; it may break. -
Keep the cast or splint dry. During bathing, protect it with a plastic bag. Do not lower it into water. -
If your doctor prescribes pain medication, take no more than directed. If the medication makes you drowsy, don’t drive. You may also use over-the-counter pain killers.
Seek Care Immediately If…
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Your cast gets damaged or breaks. -
You have continued severe pain or more increased swelling. -
The skin or toenails below the injury turn blue or grey, or feel cold or numb -
There is a bad smell coming from the cast. -
There are new stains coming from under the cast.