Motorbike accidents are among the most common causes of broken bones we treat. What happens in the first few hours after an accident can make a real difference to how well you heal. Here is what to do, and what not to do.
Go to the hospital straight away if
- Bone is visible through the skin, or there is a deep wound over an injury
- An arm or leg looks bent or out of shape
- A hand or foot is cold, pale, blue or numb
- There is heavy bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
- The person has a head injury, chest pain, or trouble breathing
First aid while you wait for help
1. Stop bleeding. Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth.
2. Don’t straighten the limb. Support it in the position you find it, using a folded jacket or rolled newspaper as a splint.
3. Cover open wounds. Use a clean cloth. Do not push any bone back in.
4. Remove rings, watches and bangles from an injured arm before swelling starts.
5. Don’t give food or drink if the person may need surgery.
Don’t ignore “minor” injuries
Some injuries feel minor at first but cause problems later. A wrist that is sore after a fall may hide a scaphoid fracture, which often doesn’t show on the first X-ray. A cut on the hand can damage a tendon or nerve even when the wound looks small. If you can’t move a finger properly, or part of it feels numb, get it checked the same day.
Why follow-up with an orthopaedic surgeon matters
Emergency care stabilises the injury, but healing takes weeks to months. A specialist checks that bones are lined up correctly, decides whether fixation surgery is needed, and plans your rehabilitation. Fractures that are not followed up can heal in the wrong position or fail to heal at all.
Book a follow-up: Dr. Faheem Mubashir Farooqi is an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon in Lahore. Bring your X-rays and hospital notes. Book your appointment on our website or read about road accident injuries on our Treatments page. In an emergency, always go to the nearest hospital first. This article is for general information only.