Bone, joint and muscle care.

Signs of a fracture include pain, swelling, bruising, an abnormal shape of the limb, and being unable to use or put weight on it.

If you suspect a fracture, keep the injured part as still as possible, support it in the position you find it and do not try to straighten it. Press firmly on any bleeding with a clean cloth. Seek urgent medical care. Go to the nearest emergency department at once if bone is visible through the skin, the limb looks pale, blue or numb, or the injury followed a major accident.

Healing time depends on the bone, the type of break and the person's age and health. Follow-up and X-rays are often needed to check healing.

Most episodes of back pain improve within a few weeks. Staying gently active, avoiding long periods in bed and keeping good posture usually help more than complete rest.

See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps getting worse, or follows a fall or injury. Seek urgent care for weakness or numbness in the legs, numbness around the groin or buttocks, loss of control of the bladder or bowels, fever, or unexplained weight loss.

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions a joint wears down. It typically causes pain and stiffness that are worse with activity, most often in the knees, hips, hands and spine.

Staying active, strengthening the muscles around the joint, keeping to a healthy weight and, where advised, physiotherapy and pain-relief medicines can help. Surgery may be considered when other treatments no longer control the symptoms.

See a doctor if a joint is hot, red and swollen, if you have a fever with joint pain, if a joint locks or gives way, or if pain is persistent.

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, and a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Resting the injured part for a short time, applying a cold pack wrapped in cloth, gentle compression and raising the limb can ease early symptoms. Return to activity gradually.

See a doctor if you cannot put weight on the limb, the joint looks deformed, swelling is severe, there is numbness, or there is no improvement after a few days.

Bring any X-rays, scan images and reports, referral letters and a list of the medicines you take. Wear loose clothing that allows the affected area to be examined.

Be ready to describe when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily activities. Write down questions you would like to ask.