You may cut or puncture your skin when you break a bone. You may be able to see the bone in the cut, or it may even poke out through the skin. Germs can enter at the site and cause skin infection or a deeper infection in the joint or bone.

Use a splint to help protect the bone that you think is broken. A splint helps keep the bone from moving. This may help prevent further injury until you can see your doctor. Splint the limb or joint in the injured position—do not try to bend or straighten it. Place a pillow under the injured area to protect it from hard surfaces. Immediate medical treatment is needed for an open fracture or open joint injury.