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Sprains strains broken bones and bruising
Sometimes it can be difficult after an accident to differentiate what kind of injury has actually occurred. Below is a table to help you do this.
Sprain
| Strain
| Broken bone (fracture)
| Bruise
| Occur at joints
| Involve muscles
| Often the patient will have felt or heard the bone break.
| Discolouration and swelling of the skin
| Occur when the ligaments connected with a joint are wrenched or torn
| Occur when a muscle is overstretched
| The patient may be able to feel the broken bones grating which can sometimes be heard
| If after a fall/injuring the affected area the patient immediately gets up/is able to use the limb it is unlikely to be a broken bone though the area may later become stiff.
| Pain when moving the joint
| Pain over the muscle which becomes rigid
| Unable to use the injured part of the body of feel severe pain when you try to move it
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| Swelling and sometimes discolouration of the joint
| There may be bruising or swelling and possible severe cramp
| The area may be tender to touch, swollen or bruised.
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| The area over the ligament is tender
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| Limb might be in an unnatural position or deformed compared to the other injured side
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Treatment in the home
For a sprain or strain remember RICE
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression- apply a cold compression bandage
- Elevation- lift the injured limb to reduce swelling
For bruising
- Apply a cold compress (using material soaked in water) or ice- this will only help ease a bad bruise if applied immediately
- Rest the injured area
- If the area is badly bruised elevate the limb
For broken bones (fractures)
- Move the affected area as little as possible keeping it steady and supported
- Cover any wounds with a dressing or clean non-fluffy materials
- If there is any bleeding press as hard as required to stop the bleeding
- If a leg is broken tie both legs together with a piece of wood or rolled up magazines between them. Tie the knees and ankles together first, then closer to the broken bone.
- If an arm or collar bone is broken they should be supported by fastening the arm on the affected side to the body
- Always check that the hands and feet are warm and colour returns after squeezing a nail-if not loosen the bandages a little.
When to consult your doctor
For bruising
If the bruise occurred on the head and any of the following occurred take the patient to A&E IMMEDIATELY;
- The patient was knocked unconscious and can’t remember what happened
- Double vision
- Hearing loss occurs in both or one ear
- Vomiting more than twice after the accident
- Confusion
- Any fits or convulsions
- Any discharge from the nose, eyes or ears
If the bruise occurred on the head and any of the symptoms follow take them to your doctor;
- Pain continues after three days
- After a few days/weeks double vision occurs
- After a few days/weeks the patient begins to act strangely
- After a few days/weeks confusion occurs
- After a few days/weeks a baby becomes listless, stops feeding or repeatedly vomits
For broken bones/fractures
- Get to an A&E department as soon as possible for any suspected broken bones
- Call 999 if the broken bone is the back or neck, DO NOT MOVE the patient unless there is imminent danger within the area. If they must be moved;
- Always support the head with hands of either side of the ears.
- Use a number of people to life the patient in as many places as possible.
- If possible use a flat piece of wood to carry them whilst supporting their head.
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