Broken Leg Symptoms

The major symptoms of a broken leg are pain, swelling, and deformity. A broken leg can be very obvious but may require an x-ray to diagnose.

• Pain caused by a broken bone is typically severe. Holding the bone still will decrease pain. Movement of the broken bone will increase pain.
  
  
• Swelling and bruising over the area of a break are common.
  
  
  • Deformity of the leg can occur in these forms:
    
    
  • Shortening: The broken leg appears shorter than the unaffected leg.
    
    
  • Rotation: The leg below the break is twisted.
    
    
  • Angulation: The leg bends at the break instead of at the joint.