your injury does not get better in timeįIND A HEALTH SERVICE - The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.ĪSK YOUR DOCTOR - Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.you think you may have nerve or blood vessel damage.you think you may have a broken bone or dislocation (DO NOT attempt to straighten or move a bone that appears out of place or misshapen).If the circulation is affected in the limb (if it becomes numb, pale or cold to touch, call an ambulance on triple zero (000). Put a cold pack directly over the injured joint and seek medical help. If it is a wrist injury, support the wrist in a sling. If you have a dislocation: If it is a shoulder injury, support the arm as comfortably as possible. Fractures are treated by immobilising the limb, often with a cast, and sometimes surgery. If it is a leg injury, immobilise the foot and ankle as well. Make sure the bandages are not too tight. Tie the bandages firmly and away from the injured side. Keep the splint in place by passing the bandages above and below the break to prevent movement. Support the limb while you are bandaging it. If you have a fracture: immobilise the limb by placing a padded splint along the injured limb. If you are bleeding: Cover with a clean cloth or bandage, and apply consistent pressure to stop the bleeding. If you have a serious injury, seek medical attention. For example, pain felt in the shoulder can be a sign of a heart problem pain in the hip can indicate a compressed nerve in the back, and painful feet can be a sign of nerve damage (neuropathy).ĬHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS - Use the Limb injury Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
In some cases, signs of limb injury may indicate that there is something else wrong. Signs of damage to blood vessels include coldness and paleness. Signs of nerve damage include pins and needles, numbness, and loss of movement. If you have a limb injury, you may also have damaged nerves or blood vessels in the area. Bruise: There will be coloured marks caused by bleeding in or under the skin.Strain (an injury to muscles, for example a strained thigh): Symptoms are sharp, sudden pain in the affected area and loss of power.Sprain (an injury to ligaments, for example a sprained ankle): Symptoms include swelling, pain, bruising to the area and loss of mobility.Dislocation (when a bone has been moved or dislodged, for example a dislocated shoulder): The joint will look out of place and there may be swelling, bruising, discolouration, numbness, weakness, pain and inability to move.Broken bones (cracked or fractured bones, for example a broken arm): Severe pain, restricted or no movement in the affected limb, change of shape of the limb, discolouration, tenderness and swelling.Signs of limb injury can vary, depending on the type of injury. What symptoms are related to limb injuries? Limb injuries include broken bones, dislocations, sprain, strains, injuries to the nail, and bruising. Related information on Australian websitesĪ limb injury is any injury to a limb, either a leg or arm, or to the toes and fingers.What symptoms are related to limb injuries?.