Broken bones may have a lot of causes, ranging from a hard one-time impact, lots of smaller impacts causing a stress fracture (such as what runners can experience), or a rolling or twisting motion that applies more pressure than the bone can take. A weakening of the bones, such as from osteoporosis, can also lead to fractures. But what are the symptoms of a broken bone?

A broken or fractured bone is considered a medical emergency and needs medical attention as soon as possible, so if you think you may have broken a bone, head to Venice Urgent Care right away.

Symptoms of a Broken Bone

Do you think you may have a broken bone? Believe it or not, sometimes it’s not as obvious to determine as you might think. If you’re not sure, here are a few symptoms  of a broken bone to look out for:

Popping or Cracking Sounds – Some people report being able to hear the break happening. While abnormal sounds alone don’t guarantee that a bone has broken, they often warrant a trip to an urgent care or walk-in clinic, like our clinics in Venice and Long Beach.

Deformity – Some broken bones will stick out or be situated under the skin at angles they shouldn’t be, making it perfectly obvious they’re broken.

Bone Protrusion – If the broken bone is protruding through the skin, this is known as an open or compound fracture. Compound fractures are severe and require immediate medical attention.

Loss of Mobility – If you can’t say where any of them are broken, wiggle your fingers or toes. If doing so happens to be difficult or painful, you may have a break above that point.

Intense Pain – Breaks are painful, especially under pressure. If you’re experiencing a lot of intense pain, especially when the injured area is moved or put under pressure, you may have a fracture or break.

Numbness or Tingling – Sometimes an area that has suffered a broken bone will go numb or develop a tingling sensation. If this happens, get to an urgent care clinic as soon as possible.

Swelling or Bruising – Swelling or bruising around the spot of injury can also indicate a break.

Five Most Frequently Broken Bones

So which bones are the most common to break? Here are the five most common types of breaks.

Arm – Fully half of broken bones in adults occur in the arms, often when reaching out to stop or cushion a fall.

Clavicle – The clavicle, or collarbone, is another commonly broken bone. Because it’s long and thin, it can break easily if placed under pressure or duress, usually in the middle.

Wrist – The wrist is another common place to break a bone, especially on the side closest to your thumb. As with broken arms, this often happens when people reach out to catch themselves when falling.

Ankle – The ankle is another common area to break bones, usually by rolling or twisting the ankle, especially when wearing shoes that do not support the ankles.

Foot or Toe – You can break your toe or foot by tripping, dropping something on it, or even by repetitive stress that occurs with jogging, hiking, or other sports activities.

What to Do if You Think You Broke a Bone

A fractured bone requires prompt medical attention, as ignoring it can have serious consequences. For instance, even something as a broken toe or a slightly broken foot can cause lifelong chronic pain and arthritis if it doesn’t heal properly. Broken bones left unattended are unlikely to heal back to their normal shape and position. Walk-in clinic specialists can help set, cast, and splint a broken bone and can provide information on how to ensure the break heals as quickly as possible so that you can get back to daily life.

Let UrgentMED Take Care of Your Broken Bone

If you think you may have a broken bone, it’s important not to wait. Visit one of our 18 convenient locations in the UrgentMED and we’ll diagnose the issue. If it is a break or fracture, we can get it set properly right away so it heals correctly. Come into a location near you today. We offer free parking and are open every day of the year.