Fractures and dislocations can happen after falls, sports injuries, road accidents, workplace incidents or other significant impacts.
A fracture means that a bone has cracked or broken. A dislocation happens when the bones forming a joint are forced partly or completely out of their normal position.
Both injuries can be extremely painful and may cause swelling, bruising, deformity and loss of movement. Some fractures can also cause serious bleeding and shock, particularly when large bones such as the thigh, pelvis or hip are involved.
This guide explains how to recognise a suspected fracture or dislocation, what first aid to give, when to call 999 and what you should avoid doing.
A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. It can range from a small crack to a major break where the bone has moved out of position.
Fractures are commonly described as:
Open fractures are particularly serious because of the risk of severe bleeding, contamination and infection.
A dislocation occurs when the bones forming a joint are forced out of their normal position.
Commonly affected joints include:
Dislocations can damage the surrounding ligaments, nerves and blood vessels, so they should be properly assessed and treated.
Possible signs and symptoms of a fracture include:
Do not ask someone to repeatedly move an injured limb simply to test whether it is broken. If the injury appears serious, support it and seek appropriate medical help.
A dislocated joint may cause:
A fracture and dislocation can sometimes look very similar. You do not need to diagnose the exact injury before giving first aid. Treat any serious limb or joint injury carefully and arrange medical assessment.
| Injury | What it means | Common features |
|---|---|---|
| Fracture | A bone is cracked or broken. | Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, inability to use the limb normally and sometimes an open wound. |
| Dislocation | A bone has been forced partly or completely out of its normal joint position. | Severe pain, abnormal joint shape, swelling and inability to move the joint normally. |
| Sprain | Ligaments around a joint have been stretched or torn. | Pain, swelling, bruising and reduced movement without an obvious displaced joint or broken bone. |
For soft-tissue injuries, see our First Aid for Sprains, Strains & Soft Tissue Injuries guide.
The first aid priority is to prevent unnecessary movement and arrange the right level of medical help.
For a suspected fracture:
Do not attempt to straighten a badly deformed limb or force it back into a normal position.
Call 999 or 112 for emergency medical help if there is:
For smaller suspected fractures where the casualty is otherwise stable, medical assessment may still be needed at an urgent treatment centre or A&E.
If you are unsure how urgent the situation is, follow advice from NHS 111 or emergency services depending on the severity.
An open fracture is a medical emergency.
If there is a wound over the fracture:
For additional guidance on serious bleeding, see our First Aid for Major Bleeding guide.
If you suspect a dislocated joint:
Never try to put a dislocated joint back into position yourself.
Trying to force a joint back into place can damage nerves, blood vessels, ligaments or the surrounding bone.
A sling can sometimes help support an injured arm, shoulder or elbow and reduce unnecessary movement.
However, the priority is comfort and support rather than forcing the injured limb into a textbook position.
If moving the arm into a sling causes significant pain, leave it in the position the casualty finds most comfortable and support it with padding, clothing or cushions until professional help is available.
For most members of the public, the safest approach is simply to support the injured part and avoid unnecessary movement.
Improvised splints are not always needed and can cause additional pain or circulation problems if applied badly.
If you have been trained to use a splint and the situation requires it, follow your training. Otherwise, keep the limb supported and allow healthcare professionals to immobilise it appropriately.
Changes in circulation or sensation beyond an injury can be important.
Seek urgent medical help if the casualty develops:
If you have applied a bandage or support and circulation appears to worsen, loosen it carefully.
Yes, where practical and safe to do so.
Swelling can increase quickly after a hand, wrist, arm, ankle or leg injury. Rings, watches and other tight items can then restrict circulation.
Remove them early if this can be done without causing unnecessary movement or pain.
A wrapped cold pack may sometimes help reduce pain and swelling around a minor closed injury.
Do not place ice directly against the skin, and do not allow cooling to delay urgent medical assessment of a suspected serious fracture or dislocation.
If there is an open fracture or major trauma, controlling bleeding, supporting the injury and arranging medical help are more important than applying a cold pack.
Do not encourage someone to walk on a leg, ankle, hip or foot that may be fractured or dislocated.
Weight-bearing can increase pain and potentially worsen the injury.
Support them where they are and arrange suitable transport or emergency help depending on the severity.
Hip and pelvic fractures can be particularly serious, especially in older people or after significant trauma.
Possible signs include:
Call 999 if a serious hip or pelvic fracture is suspected. Keep the casualty still and comfortable and avoid unnecessary movement.
A suspected spinal injury requires particular care.
Possible warning signs after trauma include:
Call 999 and avoid unnecessary movement unless the casualty is in immediate danger or their airway cannot be maintained.
If an unconscious casualty is breathing normally but needs to be placed in the recovery position to maintain their airway, airway management takes priority. Follow emergency-service instructions and try to keep the head and spine aligned as much as possible.
See our Recovery Position Explained guide for further information.
Serious fractures can cause internal bleeding and lead to medical shock.
This is particularly important with injuries involving the:
Signs of shock can include pale or clammy skin, rapid breathing, weakness, dizziness, confusion and reduced responsiveness.
If shock is suspected, call 999 and continue monitoring the casualty.
See our First Aid for Shock guide for more information.
Falls are one of the most common causes of fractures.
After a significant fall, do not focus only on the most obvious painful limb. Consider whether there may also be:
For head injuries, see our First Aid for Minor Head Injuries guide.
Crush incidents can cause fractures together with internal bleeding, soft-tissue damage and shock.
Never put yourself in danger by entering an unstable area or attempting to move heavy machinery or equipment without appropriate control.
Call emergency services and follow their instructions.
Our First Aid for Crush Injuries guide covers these emergencies in more detail.
Yes. Children's bones are still developing and some fractures may affect growth areas near the ends of bones.
A child may also find it difficult to describe exactly where the pain is.
Seek medical assessment if a child:
Older adults can be at increased risk of fractures after relatively minor falls, particularly where osteoporosis or reduced bone density is present.
Hip fractures are especially important because a person may be unable to stand after a fall and can deteriorate while waiting for help.
If an older person has fallen and has severe hip pain, cannot stand or the leg appears shortened or rotated, call 999.
Common mistakes when dealing with a suspected fracture or dislocation include:
A general first aid kit can provide useful equipment for supporting some fracture-related injuries while medical help is arranged.
Depending on the situation, useful items can include:
A first aid kit does not replace professional treatment for a suspected fracture or dislocation.
You can view our range of first aid kits for home, workplace, travel and other environments.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Suspected fracture | Keep the casualty still, support the injured part and arrange medical assessment. |
| Open fracture | Call 999, cover the wound, control bleeding around the injury and do not push exposed bone back inside. |
| Dislocation | Support the joint in the position found and never attempt to put it back into place. |
| Severe trauma | Call 999 and consider other injuries such as head, spinal, pelvic or internal injuries. |
| Numbness or circulation problems | Seek urgent medical help and check that any bandage or support is not too tight. |
| Shock | Call 999 and monitor breathing and responsiveness while waiting for help. |
St John Ambulance provides clinically reviewed UK first aid guidance for both broken bones and dislocated joints.
You can read the St John Ambulance guidance on fractures and guidance on dislocated joints for further information.
Fractures and dislocations should be treated carefully because unnecessary movement can increase pain and potentially worsen the injury.
The main first aid priorities are to keep the casualty still, support the injured area, control serious bleeding if present and arrange appropriate medical help.
Open fractures, suspected spinal or pelvic injuries, major long-bone fractures and injuries accompanied by severe bleeding or shock require urgent emergency assistance.
Most importantly, never try to straighten a broken limb or force a dislocated joint back into position yourself.
Explore our most popular first aid kits for home, car, travel, family trips, camping, workplace and everyday emergencies.
£17.95 £11.95
£17.95 £10.95
£25.95 £15.95
£7.59
£25.99 £11.95
£12.99 £9.99
£25.95 £15.95
