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First aid · Australia

Fractures and sprains

Stop the activity and support the injured area in the position found. Do not straighten a deformed limb or push a dislocation back. Call 000 for an open fracture, heavy bleeding, severe trauma, unbearable pain, spinal concerns or pale, blue, cold, numb or immobile fingers or toes. Check circulation and feeling beyond the injury.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Stop and support

    Stop the activity, make the scene safe and support the injured area in the position found. Keep the person comfortable and avoid unnecessary movement.

    Take care. Do not test how far the limb or joint moves, massage a new injury or apply heat when swelling is developing.

  2. Call 000 for serious signs

    Call 000 for severe trauma, an open fracture, heavy bleeding, a deformed limb or joint, unbearable pain, spinal concerns or pale, blue, cold, numb or immobile skin beyond the injury.

    Take care. Do not delay 000 for severe trauma, heavy bleeding, loss of feeling or loss of circulation.

  3. Suspected fracture or dislocation

    For a suspected fracture or dislocation, pad and support above and below the injury with a splint or cushions if this can be done without forcing the limb straight or causing more pain. Do not push a joint back into place.

    Take care. Do not straighten a deformed limb or push a dislocation back into place.

  4. Likely sprain or strain

    For a likely sprain or strain without emergency signs, rest the area, use a wrapped cold pack, apply a firm but not tight compression bandage and elevate it while resting. Remove rings or tight items early if swelling is expected and it is safe.

    Take care. Do not place ice directly on skin or make a compression bandage so tight that fingers or toes become cold, pale, blue, numb or more painful.

  5. Check beyond the injury

    Check colour, warmth, feeling, movement and swelling beyond the injury before and after support. Arrange medical assessment when a fracture, dislocation or significant sprain is possible, or when symptoms are not improving.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Call 000 for severe trauma, an open fracture or bone through the skin, heavy bleeding, severe or unbearable pain, deformity, spinal concerns, or pale, blue, cold, numb or immobile fingers or toes.

Children and babies

  • Children need medical assessment for suspected fractures because growth areas can be affected. Support the limb in the position found, do not rely on a child being able to walk, and seek urgent help for severe pain, deformity, numbness or poor colour.

Keep checking

  • Keep checking pain, swelling, colour, warmth, feeling and movement beyond the injury. If support or compression makes the hand or foot colder, paler, bluer, numb or more painful, loosen it and seek urgent help.

What you may notice

  • A fracture may cause severe pain, swelling, bruising, deformity or inability to use the limb.
  • Numbness, pale or blue skin, coldness or loss of movement can signal a serious circulation or nerve problem beyond the injury.
  • A dislocation may look out of place and should not be pushed back; a sprain can look similar to a fracture.

When help arrives

  • Support the injury in the position found, remove tight jewellery early if safe and recheck colour, warmth, feeling and movement beyond the injury.
  • Tell responders how the injury happened, whether the skin is broken and what changed after support or bandaging.

Other useful answers

How can I tell a sprain from a fracture?

You may not be able to tell safely. Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty using the area can occur with both, so arrange medical assessment when a fracture or dislocation is possible.

Sources and last update

Content updated: August 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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