“I knew it wasn’t broken ‘cause I could still move it”

One of the common myths involving bone injuries! I have heard this statement countless times as I looked at an x-ray which clearly showed a fracture with a patient or family. Some accident happens, and if the patient (or their child) can still move the joint nearby (some times *any* joint nearby) then it is thought not to be broken! Unfortunately that’s not always how the body works.

Your body has some wonderful defense and self-help mechanisms to assist you in times of trouble. One of these is the body’s ability to “splint” or stabilize an area which is injured. The body does this by muscle spasm which cuts down on the motion of nearby joints. Often, particularly if the break is not really bad, the body will “self-splint” the only injured part and the nearby joints work reasonably well.

So, don’t get caught in the “if I can move it it’s not broken” trap. If you get hurt, get a good quality x-ray by a qualified professional.

Until next time,

James Bailey, MD