Clinical Features

These include:

Pain

This is usually severe and is made worse with movement.

Swelling

Often, swelling and bruising at the site of the fracture occurs.

Deformity

The fractured limb may appear bent, short or flailed and this may be quite obvious.

Inability to move

It may be impossible to move a fractured part of the body or bear weight upon it. This may be due to the mechanical effect of the fracture, or because of the pain it causes.

Pallor

The injured area may become pale, especially if the blood supply has been impaired by the broken bones. In addition the person may look pale and clammy and feel nausea and light-headedness. This may be due to pain and/or blood loss. If large bones such as the femur or pelvis are broken, considerable internal bleeding may occur.