How to determine whether there is a fracture after a fall

　　The roads are slippery in winter and it is easy to fall if you are not careful. Many people feel pain after a fall, and their first reaction is to rub it quickly to "activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis." But the doctor reminds: Don’t move or rub after a fall! Sometimes a seemingly ordinary sprain may lead to the risk of fracture. So, how to initially judge whether it is a fracture after a fall? Are there any red flags to be wary of?

How to determine whether there is a fracture after a fall

　　1. Severe pain that continues to worsen

　　Severe pain occurs in the injured area after a fall, and the pain is significantly aggravated during activity, and even a slight touch or pressure becomes unbearable. It does not relieve after rest. It may be that the fracture has caused damage to the periosteum or peripheral nerves, and you need to be highly vigilant.

　　2. Local swelling and deformity are obvious

　　Severe swelling and bruising occurs within a short period of time (1-2 hours) after the injury, or the shape of the injured part is abnormal, such as limb bending, shortening, displacement, and obvious differences compared with the healthy side. This is most likely caused by bone dislocation after fracture.

　　3. Restricted activities accompanied by abnormalities

　　The injured limb cannot move normally, or a "bone friction feeling" or "bone friction sound" occurs during movement. Some patients may also experience numbness and weakness in the limbs, indicating that the continuity of the bones is interrupted and unauthorized activities need to be avoided.

　　4. Open wounds or abnormal bleeding

　　If the skin is damaged after a fall, bone fragments can be seen in the wound, or there is continuous bleeding, it is an open fracture. The situation is urgent and the wound needs to be treated immediately and seek medical attention to prevent infection and excessive blood loss.

　　5. Be careful when falling in special parts

　　If the head, spine, pelvis and other parts of the body are injured by a fall, even if there is no obvious swelling and pain, hidden fractures may occur. If accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, abnormal urination and defecation, and numbness of the limbs, immediate medical examination is required.

What to do after a fall

　　1. Emergency braking to avoid secondary damage

　　Stop the activity immediately and keep the injured limb in its original position. If the limb is fractured, wooden boards, books, etc. can be used to temporarily fix it (the fixation range must cover the upper and lower joints of the fracture site) to avoid bone displacement during transportation and aggravating the injury.

　　2. Treat wounds and swelling correctly

　　Closed injuries can be treated with cold compresses (15-20 minutes each time) within 48 hours to reduce swelling and pain； Open wounds need to be pressed with clean gauze or towel to stop bleeding. After simple cleaning, cover with sterile gauze to avoid wound infection.

　　3. Seek medical treatment promptly and standardize examination and treatment.

　　No matter whether it is judged to be a fracture or not, if there is obvious pain and swelling after a fall, or if a fracture is suspected, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible and confirm the diagnosis through X-ray, CT and other examinations. Avoid self-massage and reduction to avoid delaying treatment or aggravating the condition.

Practical tips for preventing falls in winter

　　1. Keep warm and choose non-slip shoes

　　When wearing warm clothing in winter, avoid being too heavy and affecting flexibility. Give priority to shoes with deep soles and good anti-slip properties (such as snow boots and non-slip sneakers). Avoid wearing high heels and hard-soled shoes when walking on icy roads.

　　2. Improve the environment and reduce safety hazards

　　Keep the ground indoors dry and clean up accumulated water and snow in a timely manner； Install handrails in corridors and stairwells, and turn on lights at night ； Avoid icy roads, steep slopes, and slippery steps outdoors. Slow down and reduce your stride length when walking.

　　3. Enhance physical fitness and take protective measures

　　Elderly people or those with weak constitutions can engage in mild exercises such as Tai Chi and walking on a daily basis to enhance the strength and balance of their lower limbs.； When going out, you can use crutches, walkers, and wear protective equipment such as knee pads and waist protectors to reduce the risk of falls.

　　Fall injuries are not to be taken lightly. Instead of wasting time by guessing, it is better to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and early treatment can avoid sequelae. Remember one sentence: It’s better to make a fuss out of a molehill than turn a blind eye.