“I can move it, so it’s clearly not broken…” Maybe, maybe not! In primary care settings, the majority of fractures that we treat are diagnosed days after they occur (sometimes weeks), ignored because of this myth. Wrist fractures are particularly notorious for late diagnosis, because there is rarely dramatic bruising, deformity, or swelling. Finger, foot, and ankle fractures often display more impressive dark bruising and swelling, but even with these injuries, the affected area can most frequently still be moved voluntarily (albeit with significant discomfort). Muscles, ligaments and tendons MOVE the bones…and they can move broken bones as well as intact ones.
Fractures come in many shapes and sizes. Fortunately, most fractures are not “open”, meaning most have no break in the skin (no bones sticking out anywhere). Some fractures are simple a hairline crack or a small buckle in the bone, while others break all the way through the bone and may shift out of place under the skin. The only way to be certain whether or not there is a fracture is with imaging- most commonly an ordinary X-ray.
What should you do if you think you may have broken a bone? Is it an emergency? If it is “open” (bone sticking out), obviously this is an emergency, and this most likely would have occurred in a very traumatic situation like a car wreck or other high speed injury. Call 911. If the limb is obviously distorted, or there is new and persistent numbness, tingling or decreased circulation (area turning cold, pale and/or blue), you need immediate medical help. In less traumatic situations- you smash your toe against a door walking to the bathroom at night, you step off a curb funny, you fall on an outstretched hand- your injury may be URGENT, but not emergent. Follow the RICE pneumonic- Rest, Ice, Compression (ace wrap) and Elevation while you are waiting for medical care.
BOTTOM LINE: Voluntary movement of a finger, toe, hand, foot or leg does NOT mean a bone is definitely not broken- head to your doctor if you are having persistent pain, swelling or bruising, and find out for sure.
I’m glad you mentioned that wrist breaks rarely have dramatic bruising and swelling. I tripped and caught myself yesterday, and my right wrist has hurt ever since. It sounds like I should have this checked out by a professional just in case it is broken.
Yes- hope you were able to be seen & that your wrist is well-healed by now.