Sprains, Strains and Broken Bones: First Aid, How to Splint and When an Injury Needs the ER

Quick answer: for a sprain or strain, follow RICE: rest the injured area, apply ice wrapped in a cloth for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, use compression with an elastic bandage and elevate the limb. If you suspect a broken bone, keep the area still, splint it in the position you found it, apply cold, and get medical care. Call 911 for bone sticking through the skin, heavy bleeding, a limb that is cold, blue or numb beyond the injury, suspected head, neck, back, hip or thigh injuries, or if the person cannot be moved safely.

Most bone and joint injuries do not come from dramatic accidents. They come from a missed step on the stairs, a slip on a wet bathroom floor, an icy sidewalk or a tumble over a box in a dim hallway. During and after disasters, the risk goes up: power outages leave stairwells dark, debris litters streets and emergency rooms may be crowded.

Knowing basic first aid for sprains, strains and fractures helps you reduce pain, prevent further damage and decide when an injury needs urgent care. This guide draws on the American Red Cross, Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). It is part of our apartment emergency kit guide.

Sources: American Red Cross first aid guidance (muscle, bone and joint injuries; splinting); Mayo Clinic, “Sprains” and “Fractures (broken bones): First aid”; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), “Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries”; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), “Sprains and Strains.” Checked November 2026. This is general safety information, not medical advice. Seek medical care for any injury you are unsure about, and call 911 in an emergency.

Sprain, Strain or Fracture: What Is the Difference?

The three injuries can look and feel similar at first, which is why first aid often treats them the same way until a doctor can tell them apart.

A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, the tough band of tissue that connects bones at a joint, according to NIAMS. Ankles, knees and wrists are the most common sites. Typical signs are pain, swelling, bruising and trouble moving the joint. Some people feel or hear a pop when it happens.

A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or a tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Back and hamstring strains are common. Signs include pain, muscle spasm, weakness, swelling and cramping.

A fracture is a broken bone. It may be a small crack or a complete break, and the bone may stay under the skin (closed fracture) or break through it (open or compound fracture). The Mayo Clinic notes that signs of a fracture can include intense pain, swelling, bruising, a visible deformity, an inability to move the limb or put weight on it, and a grinding or snapping feeling.

Only an X-ray or other imaging can confirm a fracture. If you are not sure, treat the injury as a possible break and get it checked.

First Aid for Sprains and Strains: RICE

The traditional first aid approach for soft tissue injuries is RICE, described by the Mayo Clinic, AAOS and NIAMS.

1. Rest. Stop the activity and avoid putting weight on the injured area. Crutches or a cane can help with ankle and knee injuries.
2. Ice. Apply an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables or ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a thin towel. The Mayo Clinic suggests about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, repeated every two to three hours during the first day or two. Never put ice directly on the skin.
3. Compression. Wrap the area with an elastic bandage to limit swelling. Start the wrap farther from the heart and wrap toward it. Loosen it if the area below the wrap becomes numb, tingly, pale, cold or more painful.
4. Elevation. Raise the injured limb above the level of the heart when possible, especially at night.

Over-the-counter pain relievers may help, following the label directions. People with certain health conditions or who take blood thinners should check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Recovery after the first few days

Gentle movement usually helps after the first couple of days, once pain and swelling begin to improve, according to the Mayo Clinic. Returning to full activity too early can cause reinjury. A doctor or physical therapist can recommend exercises for more serious sprains.

When a sprain needs a doctor

Seek medical care if:

• You cannot bear weight or walk more than a few steps
• The joint feels unstable or gives way
• There is numbness, or the area looks deformed
• Pain and swelling do not improve after a few days of home care
• You heard a pop and the joint swelled immediately

First Aid for a Suspected Broken Bone

The Mayo Clinic and Red Cross give these steps for a suspected fracture while you wait for medical care:

1. Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or clothing.
2. Immobilize the injured area. Do not try to straighten the bone or push a bone that is sticking out back in. Splint the area in the position you found it, if you have been trained or can do so without causing more pain.
3. Apply cold. Wrap ice in a cloth and apply it to limit swelling and help with pain.
4. Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay them down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, the legs raised, as long as this does not move the injured area.
5. Get medical care. For many arm, wrist and lower-leg injuries, that can mean an urgent care center or emergency department. Some injuries call for 911.

Open fractures

An open fracture, where bone breaks through the skin, carries a high risk of infection and bleeding. Cover the wound with a clean dressing, control bleeding with pressure around the wound rather than on the bone, keep the person still and call 911. Our guide to Stop the Bleed basics explains how to control serious bleeding.

Children and older adults

Two groups deserve extra caution. Children’s bones are still growing, and the AAOS explains that growth plates, the areas of developing cartilage near the ends of long bones, are weaker than the surrounding ligaments. An injury that would sprain an adult’s ankle may instead fracture a child’s growth plate. For that reason, a child with a painful, swollen joint after a fall should be checked by a doctor, especially if they will not use the limb.

Older adults face a different risk. Bones can become thinner and more fragile with age, and the CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and older. A fall that seems minor can cause a hip or wrist fracture. Pain in the hip or groin after a fall, or difficulty standing, calls for prompt medical evaluation.

When to Call 911

The Mayo Clinic advises calling 911 or local emergency services for a fracture if:

• The person is unresponsive, is not breathing or is not moving; begin CPR if there is no breathing or heartbeat
• There is heavy bleeding
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain
• The limb or joint appears deformed
• The bone has pierced the skin
• The end of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip
• You suspect a bone is broken in the head, neck or back
• You suspect a hip, pelvis or upper leg fracture

Never move a suspected neck or back injury

If someone falls from a height, is hit by a vehicle or has neck or back pain after a fall, keep them still and call 911. The Red Cross advises against moving a person with a suspected head, neck or spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger, such as from fire. Support the head in the position found.

How to Make a Simple Splint

A splint keeps a broken bone or badly injured joint from moving, which reduces pain and prevents further damage on the way to care. The Red Cross trains people to splint only if they must move the injured person and it does not cause more pain. Here are the general principles:

• Splint the injury in the position you find it. Do not straighten it.
• Include the joints above and below a suspected broken bone, or the bones above and below a joint injury.
• Pad the splint with cloth, towels or clothing.
• Use rigid materials such as a rolled magazine, a board, a folded piece of cardboard or a sturdy stick.
• Secure it with strips of cloth, bandages or tape, tying above and below the injury, never directly over it.
• Check circulation beyond the splint: fingers or toes should stay warm, pink and able to feel touch. Loosen ties if they become numb, pale or blue.

Arm slings

For a suspected arm, wrist or collarbone injury, a sling made from a triangular bandage, a scarf or a pillowcase can support the arm against the body. Keep the hand slightly higher than the elbow. A second strip tied around the body over the sling keeps the arm from swinging.

Preventing Falls at Home and in Your Building

Many sprains and fractures are preventable, particularly among older adults. The CDC’s STEADI program and the National Institute on Aging recommend these home safety steps:

• Keep stairs, halls and walkways clear of clutter, cords and boxes
• Install handrails on both sides of stairs and grab bars in bathrooms
• Use non-slip mats in the tub and shower
• Light stairways, halls and entrances well, and keep night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms
• Wear supportive shoes with non-slip soles, including indoors
• Ask a doctor to review medications that can cause dizziness

During outages and winter storms

Darkness is one of the biggest fall hazards during a blackout. Keep flashlights or headlamps by the bed and near the door, and never use candles on stairs. Our guide to emergency lighting for outages explains good options. Ice is the other big winter risk. Shuffle with short steps on icy surfaces, use handrails and wear boots with good traction. Our ice storm preparedness guide covers winter walking safety.

What to Keep in Your First Aid Kit

A few items handle most sprains and suspected fractures until care arrives:

Item	Use
Instant cold packs	Ice substitute when the freezer is out or you are away from home
Elastic bandages (2 to 4 inch)	Compression for sprains; securing splints
Triangular bandage	Arm sling or splint ties
SAM-style moldable splint or padded board	Immobilizing a limb
Gauze pads and roller gauze	Covering wounds over open fractures
Medical tape	Securing dressings and splints
Pain reliever (as labeled)	Pain relief for minor sprains

Add these to a first aid kit for a small apartment, and check cold packs periodically, since they can leak or expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my ankle is sprained or broken?

You often cannot tell without an X-ray. Signs that point toward a fracture include an obvious deformity, inability to take four steps, numbness or severe pain over the bone. When in doubt, get it checked.

Should I use heat or ice on a new sprain?

Use ice, wrapped in a cloth, during the first day or two to limit swelling. Heat is generally reserved for later stages once swelling has gone down.

Can I walk on a sprained ankle?

Rest it at first. As pain and swelling improve, gentle movement and gradual weight bearing are usually encouraged. If you cannot bear weight, see a doctor.

Should I try to straighten a broken arm or leg?

No. Splint it in the position you find it and get medical care. Straightening can cause more damage to bones, blood vessels and nerves.

How long does a sprain take to heal?

Mild sprains often improve within a couple of weeks, while severe sprains can take longer, according to the Mayo Clinic. A doctor can give a timeline for a specific injury.

The Bottom Line

Treat sprains and strains with rest, ice wrapped in cloth, compression and elevation, and get medical care if you cannot bear weight or the joint is unstable. For a suspected broken bone, stop any bleeding, keep the limb still, splint it as found and apply cold. Call 911 for open fractures, heavy bleeding, deformity with numbness or color change, and any suspected head, neck, back, hip or thigh injury. Clear walkways, light stairways and stock a few splinting supplies in your apartment kit.