Ask the Doctor: burns, broken bones and twisted back

If you burn yourself, is it good to put butter on it?

This is an old home remedy that’s not recommended anymore. Butter can actually make things worse by holding in heat and increasing the risk of infection. It’s best to cool burns initially with cool water then clean the area gently with soap and water. You can apply a light non-stick dressing. If blisters are present, try to keep them intact as broken blisters are more prone to infection. Also, if blisters are present, it may be helpful to apply an antibiotic ointment to the area along with daily dressing changes. There’s some evidence to suggest that honey may help to reduce the risk of infection, too. For pain, over the counter medications like ibuprofen can be used. If the burn is deep or large, or if any signs of infection appear, it’s best to have your doctor take a look.

This summer, I broke a couple of bones. They’ve healed but now they ache. Is that normal?

If a fracture is entirely healed, it really shouldn’t hurt anymore. Some fractures can take a long time to become entirely healed however. Rib fractures, for example, always take a long time to heal because we really can’t immobilize the fracture site and our constant breathing causes movement along the fracture line. So it may just be that the fracture needs more time to heal completely. Another possibility is that the achiness is related not to the fracture itself but to the soft tissues around the bones. A force strong enough to cause a fracture may also damage tendons or ligaments in the area, for example, and that can cause pain even after the bones are healed. In any event, if pain is lasting longer than expected, following up with your physician to sort that out is a good idea.

I think I’ve twisted my back and it hurts really bad. What can I do?

Low back strain is really common, and it can be really debilitating while waiting for it to heal. Compared to bed rest, it’s actually better to keep moving to the extent you can. It helps the healing and helps to avoid stiffness. But avoiding activities which place extra strain on the back like bending, lifting, and twisting is a good idea until things heal up. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can be helpful for pain. So can moist heat—things like soaking in a tub or letting a warm shower beat down on the area. If the muscles become tight and painful, your physician may prescribe a short-term muscle relaxant. Signs of a more serious injury include any numbness or weakness in the legs or any disruption of normal bowel or bladder function. Those are signs to seek medical attention right away.