Condition
Fractures
A break in a bone, ranging from a hairline crack to a displaced break involving a joint.
What it usually feels like
- Immediate severe pain after an injury
- Swelling, bruising or visible deformity
- Inability to use the limb
Common causes
- Falls
- Motor vehicle and workplace accidents
- Sport
- Weak bone from osteoporosis
Treatment
How this is treated
Treatment starts with the least invasive option that is likely to work.
- Step 1
X-rays to confirm the pattern and position
- Step 2
A cast or brace for stable fractures in good position
- Step 3
Surgical fixation for displaced, unstable or joint fractures
Do not wait
When to be seen urgently
- Any suspected fracture — go to Casualty
- Numbness, a cold limb or a wound over the break
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Only an examination can tell you what is wrong with your joint.
If you need help now
Outside consulting hours, report to the Casualty Department at Netcare Ferncrest Hospital or Life Peglerae Hospital in Rustenburg. If the injury is life-threatening, call 10177 immediately. Please do not use the enquiry form for an emergency.