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First Aid & Emergencies

First Aid Related Topics

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First Aid & Emergencies

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Leg Injuries - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.
A burn on a leg: Go to the topic Burns or Sunburns.
An injured joint: Go to the Check Your Symptoms section of the topic that most closely describes the area of your injury for a more complete evaluation.
- Knee Problems and Injuries
- Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries

Note:

After having a brace, cast, or splint applied, be sure to follow your health professional's instructions. If you develop a problem or have a concern, call your health professional. For more information, see first aid for a cast or splint.


	Yes

Is your leg twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?


	Yes

Did you feel or hear a snap or pop at the time of a painful leg injury?


	Yes

Is your leg pale, white, blue, or cold?


	Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling after a leg injury?


	Yes

Are you unable to move your leg normally after an injury?


	Yes

Do you have pain or tenderness after an injury?


	Yes

Do you have swelling after a leg injury?


	Yes

Do you think an injury may have been caused by abuse?


	Yes

Do you think you have an infection?


	Yes

Is your leg bruised after an injury?


	Yes

Does your leg look twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position after a recent injury?


	Yes

Do you have a bump or break in the skin at the site of a suspected broken bone or dislocation?


	Yes

Did your leg pop, move, or get pulled out of its normal position and then return to its normal position?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has a lot of swelling developed within 30 minutes of the injury?


	Yes

Does your leg look twisted, bent, or out of its normal position?


	Yes

Are you unable to move your leg normally?


	Yes

Did you feel or hear a snap or pop in your injured leg, but you do not have any other changes in appearance or movement?


	Yes

Since feeling or hearing a snap or pop, does your injured leg feel loose or unstable?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has your leg gradually become pale, white, blue, or cold after an injury?


	Yes

Are your toes or foot pale, white, blue, or cold after having a brace, cast, or splint applied? Note: See first aid for a cast or splint.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have new steady numbness without other symptoms after an injury?


	Yes

Have you had steady tingling in your leg, without other symptoms, for 1 hour or longer?


	Yes

Has tingling gotten worse?


	Yes

Have you had numbness or tingling that comes and goes for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you unable to move your injured leg?


	Yes

Do you have limited leg movement with severe pain?


	Yes

Are you unable to move your leg normally after having a brace, cast, or splint applied (not because the splint is in the way)? Note: See first aid for a cast or splint.


	Yes

Is a young child carefully protecting his or her leg?


	Yes

Is a young child unable or unwilling to walk?


	Yes

Are you unable to move your leg normally or do you have decreased leg strength after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe pain?


	Yes

Are you unable to stand or walk?


	Yes

Is a young child unable or unwilling to walk?


	Yes

Do you have pain with swelling or bruising that began within 30 minutes of an injury?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain that is getting worse?


	Yes

Do you have mild to moderate pain that has not improved after 24 hours of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have mild pain when you move or lift your leg after 48 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has swelling caused the skin below an injury to become cold or pale?


	Yes

Do you have a lot of swelling within 30 minutes of an injury?


	Yes

Do you have moderate swelling after 48 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Did someone hurt you on purpose?


	Yes

Do you think that a child's injury may have been caused by abuse?


	Yes

Do you think that a vulnerable adult's injury may have been caused by abuse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?


	Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?


	Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from the injured area?


	Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the injured area?


	Yes

Do you have pus in or around the injured area?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around the injured area for 24 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the groin for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Did a large (the size of the injured person's palm), painful, swollen bruise develop within 30 minutes of an injury?


	Yes

Are you worried about how easily you bruise?


	Yes

Have bruises from an injury lasted longer than 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 03, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.