PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Health & medical scares

What to do if…
a broken bone is visibly deformed or has broken through the skin

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Call 999 or 112 now and say that the bone is visibly deformed or has broken through the skin. Keep the injured part still and supported, cover any open wound carefully, and do not give the person food or drink unless the emergency call handler tells you to.

Do not do these things

  • Do not try to straighten the limb or push exposed bone back under the skin.
  • Do not ask the person to test, move, or put weight on the injured part.
  • Do not move them before the injured part is supported unless they are in immediate danger.
  • Do not press directly on exposed bone or the suspected fracture site.
  • Do not wash or probe the wound, or remove anything embedded in it.
  • Do not give them anything to eat or drink unless the emergency call handler tells you to.
  • Do not raise an injured leg.
  • Do not let them drive themselves to hospital.

What to do now

  1. Call 999 or 112. Tell the call handler where you are, how the injury happened, which part is injured, whether bone is visible, and whether there is heavy bleeding.
  2. Ask the person to stay still. Support the injured part in the position you found it, holding above and below the injury if possible. Place folded clothing, cushions, or blankets around it for support without forcing it into a different position.
  3. If the skin is broken, cover the wound with a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy cloth. If it is bleeding, apply pressure around the wound, not over exposed bone or directly over the suspected fracture site.
  4. Remove rings, watches, or other tight items near the injury if they come off easily without moving the injured part. Swelling may develop.
  5. Keep the person warm and calm. Stay with them and continue checking their breathing and responsiveness until help arrives.
  6. Tell the call handler immediately if the person becomes confused, very pale or clammy, has difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive, or develops numb, unusually cold, blue, grey, pale, or blotchy fingers or toes beyond the injury.
  7. Follow the call handler’s instructions. If the person stops breathing normally, tell the call handler and begin the emergency steps they give you.

What can wait

Decisions about how the bone will be treated, whether surgery is needed, recovery time, work or school, insurance, and future appointments can wait. Do not delay the emergency call to arrange transport, clean the wound thoroughly, or gather belongings.

Important reassurance

This is a serious injury, but you do not need to fix or diagnose it yourself. Your immediate job is to call for an ambulance, prevent unnecessary movement, cover the wound, control bleeding without pressing on exposed bone, and monitor the person.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps while emergency help is being arranged. Examination, imaging, wound cleaning, antibiotics, tetanus protection, pain relief, and treatment decisions require hospital clinicians.

Important note

This is general first-aid information, not a substitute for medical assessment or instructions from the emergency services. Follow the 999 or 112 call handler’s directions, even if they differ from this guide.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us