Wellness Tips from Josef Schenker, MD
Welcome to the Wellness Tips blog series, presented by Dr. Josef Schenker, Medical Director at Centers Urgent Care. Drawing from his extensive background in internal medicine and emergency medical services, Dr. Schenker brings you expert guidance rooted in both clinical knowledge and real-world experience. His mission is simple: to empower you with clear, practical, and compassionate advice that supports your health every step of the way.
In each post, Dr. Schenker highlights essential health topics—from everyday concerns to urgent care situations—breaking them down into easy-to-understand tips. Whether you’re looking to prevent illness, manage symptoms, or respond confidently in a medical emergency, these posts are here to help you make informed decisions and take charge of your well-being with confidence.
Bone Fracture First Aid
Whether it’s from a fall, sports injury, or car accident, fractures can happen to anyone, at any age. Children break bones during play, adults get injured at work or while being active, and older adults—especially those with osteoporosis—are at higher risk of fractures from even minor accidents. Bone fractures are more common than you might think. In the United States alone, about 6 million people break a bone each year.
The key to preventing long-term damage is knowing how to respond right away. While it might be tempting to “wait and see,” delaying treatment can cause more harm than good. Proper first aid not only reduces pain and swelling, but also prevents further damage to the bone, nearby muscles, or nerves. And when in doubt, always seek professional medical care.
Josef Schenker, MD emphasizes that understanding what a fracture looks like—and what to do in those first few minutes—can make all the difference. Let’s break down what you need to know.
Dr. Josef Schenker Explains Bone Fractures
In simple terms, a bone fracture is a break, crack, or shattering of the bone structure. According to Dr. Josef Schenker, it can happen in many ways, and not all fractures look the same. Some are dramatic and obvious, while others are subtle and easy to overlook.
Here are the most common types of fractures:
- Closed fracture: The bone breaks but the skin stays intact, lowering infection risk but still causing pain and swelling.
- Open (compound) fracture: The bone pierces through the skin, posing a serious risk of infection and requiring immediate medical attention.
- Greenstick fracture: A partial break where the bone bends and cracks, commonly seen in children with softer bones.
- Transverse fracture: A straight, horizontal break across the bone, often caused by a direct blow.
- Spiral fracture: A break that twists around the bone, typically resulting from a rotating or twisting injury.
- Comminuted fracture: The bone shatters into three or more pieces, usually from high-impact trauma and often needing surgery.
- Stress fracture: A small crack in the bone caused by repeated stress, often affecting athletes and active individuals.
Josef Schenker, MD, Explains First Aid for Bone Fracture
The moments right after an injury are critical. Performing proper first aid can prevent the bone from shifting further, minimize pain, and reduce the risk of complications. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about staying calm, being gentle, and getting help fast.
Here’s what Dr. Josef Schenker recommends if you suspect someone has a broken bone:
- Stay calm and assess the situation: Take a deep breath and check for any serious signs like heavy bleeding, exposed bone, or symptoms of shock (such as cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, or confusion). If you notice any of these, call 911 immediately.
- Keep the person still: Movement can make the injury worse, especially if the bone is unstable. Gently reassure the person and ask them to remain as still as possible until help arrives.
- Immobilize the area: If you know how to do it, use a splint to prevent the injured bone from moving. Pad it with soft material like a towel or shirt, and loosely secure it above and below the break. If you’re unsure, it’s safer not to move the limb at all.
- Apply ice: Wrap some ice or a cold pack in a cloth and gently place it over the injury. This helps reduce swelling and pain. Avoid putting ice directly on the skin, as it can cause frostbite or irritation.
- Elevate the limb if possible: If there’s no obvious deformity and it doesn’t worsen pain, raise the injured limb slightly above heart level. This can help limit swelling while you wait for medical help.
- Do not try to straighten the bone: Trying to push a bone back into place can cause more harm than good. Leave realignment to trained medical professionals who can do it safely and with the right tools.
- Control bleeding: If there’s an open wound, use a clean cloth or sterile dressing to apply gentle pressure. Be careful not to press directly on any exposed bone or deep into the wound.
- Avoid giving food or drink: If the injury is serious and surgery is needed, having food or liquids in the stomach could delay treatment. It’s best to wait until a doctor gives the go-ahead.
Once you’ve done what you can, seek medical attention right away. Even if the pain feels tolerable or the limb looks okay, underlying damage like internal bleeding, nerve injury, or a hairline fracture may not be obvious at first. Josef Schenker, MD emphasizes that getting a proper diagnosis ensures the injury heals correctly and helps avoid long-term complications.
Bone Fracture Treatment
After initial first aid, the next step is professional evaluation and treatment. Even minor fractures require expert care to heal properly and avoid long-term issues like misalignment or chronic pain.
Here are the common treatment options for bone fractures:
- Immobilization (casts or splints): Most fractures are treated by keeping the bone still using a cast or splint to allow proper healing.
- Traction: This method gently stretches muscles and tendons around the broken bone to align it properly—used less frequently but still important in some cases.
- Closed reduction: If the bone is misaligned but hasn’t broken the skin, doctors may manually realign it without surgery.
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): In more complex fractures, surgery may be required to realign the bone using screws, plates, or rods.
- External fixation: In severe cases, a stabilizing frame is placed outside the body and connected to the bone with pins.
- Physical therapy: After the bone starts healing, rehabilitation helps restore strength, flexibility, and function.
Every treatment plan is tailored to the person’s age, health status, and type of fracture. Josef Schenker, MD adds that timely medical attention improves the odds of a full recovery without lasting issues.
Josef Schenker, MD, Answers Frequently Asked Questions:
No. You should never try to reposition a dislocated or broken bone yourself. Forcing it back can damage blood vessels, nerves, or surrounding tissue. Always wait for trained medical professionals to perform realignment in a safe, controlled setting.
Yes. Some fractures—like stress or hairline types—may still allow limited movement or weight-bearing. Just because someone can walk or move doesn’t rule out a break. Any lingering pain, swelling, or unusual discomfort should always be checked by a healthcare provider.
Most bone fractures heal within 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the type and location of the break. Healing may be faster in children but slower in older adults or individuals with chronic illnesses, poor circulation, or weakened immune systems.
Act Fast: Proper First Aid and Urgent Care
Every second counts when it comes to bone fractures. Whether it’s a minor wrist break or a serious compound fracture, giving the right first aid immediately can be the difference between smooth recovery and long-term damage.
If you or someone you know experiences a fracture, don’t hesitate—head to Centers Urgent Care. With convenient locations throughout New York City, you’re never far from high-quality medical care. Led by Dr. Josef Schenker and a team of compassionate professionals, Centers Urgent Care is equipped to handle bone fractures and other urgent injuries with precision and care. Your health and safety come first—let us help you heal properly from the start.
About Josef Schenker, MD:
Dr. Josef Schenker, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and emergency medical services, brings extensive experience and compassion to his role as Medical Director and Partner at Centers Urgent Care. With leadership in SeniorCare Emergency Medical Services and as an Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Dr. Schenker oversees critical care and treatment protocols across varied medical needs. His dedication extends to chairing NYC REMAC, ensuring adherence to state standards in emergency medical procedures. At Centers Urgent Care, Dr. Schenker's expertise ensures prompt, high-quality emergency care for patients of all ages, supported by state-of-the-art facilities including a dedicated pediatric suite.
