Deformities caused by fractures, dislocations, and severe sprains

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Deformities caused by fractures, dislocations, and severe sprains

Fractures, dislocations, and severe sprains often cause a limb or joint to look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position. Fractures, dislocations, and severe sprains can also cause:

• Severe pain.
• Swelling and bruising.
• A feeling that a bone popped or moved out of place.
• A loose or unstable joint.
• Abnormal movement of a limb or joint.
• A locked joint (can't bend or straighten it).
• Cool, pale skin or numbness and tingling at or below the injury, if nerves or blood vessels were injured or pinched by the injury.

A fracture may also cause a break or tear in the skin. The broken bone may poke through the skin in some cases. Skin bacteria can enter at the injured site and cause a deep joint or bone infection in addition to a skin infection.

A dislocated bone may also damage blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that are close to the bone.

A sprain may cause so much swelling that it may be difficult to tell whether an additional underlying injury is present. Sprains can be mild, moderate, or severe.

An evaluation by a health professional may be needed if you have an injury that causes a limb or joint to look twisted, bent out of shape, or out its normal position.

Credits

Last updated:	August 31, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Terrina Vail