How to tell if a bone is fractured or bruised

Are you experiencing pain and not sure whether you're dealing with a bone fracture or bone bruise? Dr. Paull discusses the differences in symptoms and causes for clear bone breaks, bruises and stress fractures.

[Maya__v]

Dropped my hydrofask on the tip of my calcaneus. 2 weeks out from state competition as a powerlifter. This is about 2 hours after and I’m praying

[justlee]

I was at skatecity because im moving and it was a goodbye party, im a pretty confident good skater but I have super bad anxiety, at one time I was alone and my sister or mom was near me I was just around strangers all the sudden I get super anxious and have a anxiety attack while skating, I fell backwards and I went into shock and I go a instant migraine, at first I couldn't get up but then two teenagers past by me and laughed, I got up in pure pain sobbing my eyes out, and I located my mom and I told her what happened all though I couldn't explain it very well because my body was still tense from the anxiety attack and I had a migraine, She held me up as we went towards a seat and my mom kept asking me if we need to go to the hospital or emergency room I kept saying no and here's why, what if its a break I would feel defeated, my dad recently broke his arm and I didn't wanna join it, as well because I was able to walk just with a lot of pain and a slight limp. I had a nap as soon as we got home for 4 hours and when I woke up I was stuck there I could not move because I feel as if it wasn't good for me to be in shock, tense and pain at the same time I still refuse to go to the hospital, because I want only to believe its just a bruise as dumb as it sounds I can't handle that. I'm just scared it'll get worse. What should I do?...

[WaterPurified]

If you have a bruised wrist do arm curls with heavy weights, do a couple sets and get through the pain and pain should be gone in 2-3 days

[jako]

Very helpful! I briefly passed out a month+ ago due to dehydration & abruptly fell onto my damn tile floor & landed on the side of back! :-/ Was just a few seconds but def. was well aware of what happened. Ended up seeing a bunch of bruise marks & verry sore on the left side. Like pulsating soreness & high discomfort & stiff effect but not 'pain'. Kind of borderline. Concern is a month later at x it comes back like it just happened. But like you said if it was 'broken' yes, there would be a brutal difference. I'm normally very active but (hard as it is) now realize if its a bad bruise gotta give it 2+ months. Only been 1. Thinking I have to watch my posture even when I walk or jog.

[bonnieinthespirit]

No braking. Bruised! Using - arnicare gel : heals bruising n pain relief.

[TonyasDynamicDesigns]

Thank you so much Dr. Paull! You are so easy to follow. I really like watching your videos! I just subscribed to your channel. Can one feel a little soreness in the front part of the leg in the shin area when moving one's leg with a bone bruise? Also is it best to wear a compression stocking, leg boot, or a shin splint for comfort while healing? I noticed wearing something with compression greatly helps me to feel better. I have no pain on the bottom of my feet when walking...just a little soreness on the shin area. Is that normal?

[Blairezz]

How to know if its bruised or broken tailbone? Since the accident, I didn't feel the need to take any painkillers. Its day 10 now and I can sit, walk, bend over with little to no pain but I can still feel minimal discomfort. No bowel pains ever since. I can roll side to side in bed since day 8. I can lay on my back with little discomfort.

[happyhuskies]

I tripped and hit the upper part of my shin on the edge of stairs, then again running up a ladder (I was in a rush-) and my foot slipped, no I didn’t fall, but the same part in my shin slammed the step on the ladder. There’s been a very obvious bump but you can’t see a bruise. It’s been 2 months and I’m concerned. The pain is insane and I don’t know if I should see a doctor or not-

[karlauesson]

How long should the bruise from bone bruise go away? Mine has lasted 4 weeks + now. 2 X ray’s don’t show fracture

[Cyberose_]

My left foot hurts, I ran across the room and accidentally my foot did a 90°

[susanleger]

I’ve had an mri and I do have bone edema/ bone bruise. Dr. Paul what is your recommendation for healing? I have done 5 weeks of pT which included cryotherapy, dry needles, infrared laser. Helpful but I am still in pain….

[ghost]

Grab above and below the suspected fracture, try to move/twist, if screaming most likely a fracture, if not, back to the trenches.

[Kosmic]

Got in a fight and took a good hit to my jaw. Hurts less but I can't chew too well at the moment because the pain gets worse.

[dm]

I've tripped twice recently going up concrete block stairs in the garden because my garden boots caught when I didn't quite lift my foot to clear the step. Both times it has caused swelling and bruising. I was able to walk and did not fear fractures either time, but both shins where they hit the sharp edge of the concrete block have developed hard bony bumps once the skin healed and bruising went away. They were both very tender for awhile after the injuries but did not hurt to bear weight. I injured right and then left a week or so later. When I was a teenager, I skinned my shin when I missed a balance beam dismount. It also left a bony prominence. I'm 65, so not young, but what actually happens to cause a bony prominence after a contusion?

[TLC]

Stubbed my toe last night and hurts to put pressure on it but no visible swelling or bruising or dislocation this morning. Still tender.

[martinachione]

I landed hard on my left heel two weeks ago and it still hurts. Wearing my walking shoes seems to make it harder to walk.

[christinenicolulis]

Doctor this is 2025, I fell off a bench while standing on it, I fell on my butt onto concrete I did this in mid Nov 2024 the ER took an X-Ray of coarse the Dr said I have a small fracture around the L4-5 area here it is mid Feb and I am in so much pain in my tailbone area, I do not have health insurance and I have been tossed around and basically neglected since I am waiting to be seen bye NP on the 20th of Feb I don't expect anything, but hopeful someone in the office can read the X-Ray and MRI that I couldn't have done till I came up with the money before hand ( I live in central California) I am in so much pain I feel so let down that I couldn't get in sooner with a possible broken tailbone

[FernMoran-er]

My forefinger and my thumb have been sore for a few weeks.
Does that mean that they were fractured? Because it feels like it.

[richardtharp]

Hit my Elbow really hard today when loosening a Very Tight bolt on a Tractor.. Bad Pain, but not broken Obviously to Me.. A Pouch has raised over the bruise a little directly on the Elbow Point location.. 2 Aleve Help but There is No Doubt that i have bruised a Tendon imo.. Thank You for Any advise!!?? .. I Will take 2 Aleve at 12 hour intervals to lessen my Discomfort.. Thanks

[zonezapper]

I had a fall 10 months back, fibular area still looks deformed and discoloured now, wasn't offered an x-ray at the time, it turned black on impact. it was so painful, I had to construct a cage for my bedding, to keep the duvet off it for weeks.