Medical · Reference · Intermediate
Sprains, Strains and Suspected Fractures
Splint in the position found, include the joint above and below, check circulation twice — and why being able to walk proves nothing.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
An open wound over a suspected fracture, a pale or cold limb, numbness, severe deformity or loss of circulation requires urgent evacuation. Do not straighten a deformed limb or push exposed bone back in.
- 01
Do not diagnose by appearance
Sprains injure ligaments; strains injure muscle or tendon. Pain, swelling, bruising and impaired movement all overlap with fractures. Deformity, focal severe pain, inability to bear weight or numbness raise concern — but their absence does not safely rule out a break.
- 02
Stop and assess the whole person
Check breathing, major bleeding, other injuries and shock, and keep the person still. A suspected spine, pelvis, hip or major limb injury needs evacuation planning rather than a 'walk it off' trial.
- 03
Treat an open fracture as an emergency
Cover the wound with a sterile dressing if you have one. Do not probe it, push bone back inside, or try to align the limb. MedlinePlus's open-fracture instructions prioritize protecting the wound from contamination and getting emergency help.
- 04
Immobilize in the position found
Use rigid supports or a rolled blanket or clothing, cushion the contact points, and extend the splint past the injury to include the joint above and below when feasible.
- 05
Check circulation before and after splinting
Compare color, warmth, feeling and movement in the fingers or toes without forcing the injury. Secure the splint above and below the wound — not directly on it — and recheck often for swelling, paleness or numbness, loosening any tie that constricts.
- 06
Use comfort measures without delaying assessment
Support the injured part and avoid weight-bearing if a fracture is possible. Do not repeatedly manipulate it to test stability, pull on the limb, or try to reduce a deformity.
- 07
Do not turn clinical rules into a self-clearance test
Ottawa ankle and foot rules are clinical imaging-decision tools for specific injuries, not a universal fracture test, and this guide does not verify a self-administered checklist. Suspected fractures need professional assessment with imaging when indicated — being able to walk does not prove it is 'only a sprain'.