Broken bones and fractures are a common injury, and when left untreated, can lead to long-term pain or even a permanent deformity. It’s key that when you have broken a bone, or think you broke a bone, you get medical imaging. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

In some cases, a broken bone is obvious, but other times, it might not be so clear. Below are some signs that you might have a fracture:

• Severe pain when moving an area of your body
• Swelling or bruising
• Visible deformities
• An inability to put weight or pressure on a limb

The first step in diagnosing a broken bone is medical imaging. There are a couple of scans that can be completed depending on the injury. The most common is an x-ray, but you may want to use a CT scan for more complex breaks, or an MRI if soft tissue damage is involved. If you aren’t sure what scan you need, we can help determine what would be best.

Even minor fractures can lead to major problems if left untreated. Below is an example of a fully bone with a minor fracture, and the healed version of that bone.

Within the image, it can be hard to spot that first fracture, especially without a medical scan. Left untreated the fracture can lead to infection, deformities, and more issues the longer it is left. If you have a broken bone, or symptoms lead to suspicion, don’t wait, get evaluated and treated quickly.

Need to schedule an appointment? Call us today at (504) 741-9729.