Recognizing a Broken Bone: 5 Key Symptoms & What to Do

1. Pain: This is the most common symptom of a broken bone. The pain may be severe, sharp, or dull. It may also be accompanied by tenderness or swelling.

2. Swelling: Swelling is another common symptom of a broken bone. It is caused by the body's inflammatory response to the injury. Swelling may be accompanied by bruising.

3. Deformity: A broken bone may cause the affected limb or body part to appear deformed. This is because the bone fragments may be displaced out of their normal position.

4. Loss of function: A broken bone may make it difficult or impossible to move the affected limb or body part. This is because the bone fragments may be unable to support the weight of the limb or body part.

5. Bruising: Bruising is a common symptom of a broken bone, but it is not always present. Bruising is caused by bleeding from the broken bone.