Leg Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.
A burn on a leg: Go to the topic Burns or Sunburns.
An injured joint: Go to the Check Your Symptoms section of the topic that most closely describes the area of your injury for a more complete evaluation.
- Knee Problems and Injuries
- Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries

Note:

After having a brace, cast, or splint applied, be sure to follow your health professional's instructions. If you develop a problem or have a concern, call your health professional. For more information, see first aid for a cast or splint.

Yes: Is your leg twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?
Yes: Did you feel or hear a snap or pop at the time of a painful leg injury?
Yes: Is your leg pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes: Do you have numbness or tingling after a leg injury?
Yes: Are you unable to move your leg normally after an injury?
Yes: Do you have pain or tenderness after an injury?
Yes: Do you have swelling after a leg injury?
Yes: Do you think an injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes: Do you think you have an infection?
Yes: Is your leg bruised after an injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

A leg problem not related to an injury: Go to the topic Leg Problems, Noninjury.
A bite: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites.
Bruises or blood spots under the skin: Go to the topic Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin.
A puncture wound: Go to the topic Puncture Wounds.
Scrapes: Go to the topic Scrapes.
Sunburn: Go to the topic Sunburn.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Last updated:	August 04, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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