# First official broken bone **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 15, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818 "2022-01-15T01:50:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/61 "2022-01-16T23:45:05Z")
At age 55, broke a bone in my foot coming down off a ladder when I thought I was on the bottom rung but wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/62 "2022-01-16T23:54:38Z")
69, slipped on ice and broke the fibula in the ankle area. Only broken bone. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/63 "2022-01-17T15:31:10Z")
I was 7 years old, and I broke my arm (ahem!) FALLING OUT OF A HOSPITAL BED. My doctor said I was the second patient of his to do that. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Dbug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dbug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dbug)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/64 "2022-01-18T12:26:33Z")
No broken bones from my mistake but I badly pulled my my hip muscle doing the same thing falling off my step ladder ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/65 "2022-01-18T15:28:34Z")
I’m 60 and I THINK I broke my big toe when I was 36 or so. I didn’t go to the doc for it, so I’m not sure if it was broken. It sure hurt though. Other than that, I’m broken bone free. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/66 "2022-01-19T05:04:57Z")
6 - one of the bones in my right forearm. Roughhousing with other kids. Others (yes, there’s quite a list): - Broken elbow - tripped stepping up on a curb. I think I was 29 or 30. - ANOTHER broken elbow - somersaulting down some stairs after rolling my ankle. 46 years old. - Broken foot, age 53. The stairs in our house tried to kill me. A month or so in a surgical boot. Due to how it healed, I have a painful callus that develops underneath the spot that has to be trimmed by a foot doctor. - Broken tailbone, age 60. The stairs were having another try at my life. Not officially diagnosed with same, as everything I read said nothing much to do about it. 6+ months later, a long bus trip still left me in significant pain but it was otherwise healed. - Broken toe, age 61. Stubbed it when walking through the laundry room due to a box of detergent being set on the floor where it did not belong. That one took FOREVER to heal - I was in a boot for most of 4 months. I’m sure the next one to come along will the the last one, one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/67 "2022-01-19T05:20:01Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Broken tailbone, age 60. The stairs were having another try at my life. Not officially diagnosed with same, as everything I read said nothing much to do about it. 6+ months later, a long bus trip still left me in significant pain but it was otherwise healed. My experience was similar. Slipped and landed on ice. I assumed it was a broken tailbone and didn’t do anything about it for the same reason as you. But when it was still bothering me months later I tried to find out what was wrong. It took scan after scan before it was eventually established that I’d actually cracked my pelvis, just near where it attaches to the tailbone. It took a good 9 months at least before I was entirely free from pain, especially when cycling. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/68 "2022-01-19T12:21:12Z")
Broke my left triquetrum (which is a bone I didn’t know existed) when I was 20 in Tae Kwon Do. Did a covering block and my opponent (a doctor who felt terrible about it afterwards) missed my body with a back kick but got the back of my hand. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/69 "2022-01-19T15:39:34Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I’d actually cracked my pelvis, just near where it attaches to the tailbone. OUCH!! Could they have done anything, if you’d seen a doctor right away? For most broken tailbones, about all they do is recommend one of those pillows with a cutout for the tailbone. I bought one, and am still using it (though the pain has long since resolved). I regretted leaving it at home on that long bus ride a few months later. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/70 "2022-01-20T00:16:14Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > 6 - one of the bones in my right forearm. Roughhousing with other kids. Heavens, you need to be in a single-level padded and carpeted home. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/71 "2022-01-20T00:28:14Z")
I think the Dr suggested it might have healed quicker if I’d had complete bed rest for a few weeks after. But not much treatment possible I don’t think. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/72 "2022-01-20T16:10:20Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Heavens, you need to be in a single-level padded and carpeted home. Why yes, yes I do. When I saw the podiatrist for the broken toe (didn’t think it was broken at first, but the next morning it still hurt, and had developed all those lovely rainbow colors) she suggested I start wearing shoes around the house. I pointed out that I am far more likely to turn an ankle and fall when wearing shoes - at least 3 sprained ankles that way plus other injuries including a cut on my face from falling against a doorframe. One broken toe due to bare feet is trumped by many others while wearing shoes. The broken bone (age 6) and the broken toe (last spring) were just bad luck. All the others were due to some sort of proprioceptive / weak ankle / mystery issue that no doctor has ever tried to help with. I figure I’m due for one of those fall prevention classes they teach old folks. Or a learn-to-walk class designed for toddlers. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/73 "2022-01-20T22:28:19Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I figure I’m due for one of those fall prevention classes they teach old folks. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I’m going to sign up for one and drag one of my brothers along with me. Vertigo is an issue. I’m lucky I have strong bones (but I have weak joints to make up for it). ---
**Author:** ![Dbug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dbug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dbug)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/74 "2022-02-05T00:34:23Z")
Ouch to the broken tail bones my x-ray of my back from The chiropractor shows 2 smallcracks in mine one from when I was almost 15 and fell out of bed in our motor home and hit the metal base of a table. Th3 other one at 20 I fell on black ice I have also broken toes a bone in the top of my right foot when I fell up the stairs. Plus my baby finger on My right hand after I fell on a wet trampoline and 3 girls landed on top of me. the funny thing about that one my mom knew it was most likely fractured and we splinted it. it healed with a divot and I found out years later I had most likely broken a growth plate. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/75 "2022-02-05T01:01:57Z")
Just lost my ‘never a broken bone!’ streak of over 60 yrs. I broke a toe, a few weeks ago, banged by the door. Didn’t see a Dr, but I’m certain it was indeed broken. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/76 "2022-02-05T01:20:03Z")
1. Broke my wrist playing basketball. Since then I have broken both collarbones, multiple ribs, a leg, bruised kidneys, etc. dirt biking takes its toll! ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/77 "2022-02-05T01:20:33Z")
Plus my little toe. ---
**Author:** ![Dbug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dbug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dbug)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/78 "2022-03-14T22:54:14Z")
I have most likely fractured the 2nd and 3rd toes on my right foot i slipped and smashed them and my big toe into a cement thing in front of a car in my parking lot and the nurse said i may have jammed somthing in my foot ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/79 "2022-03-15T01:08:48Z")
I believe my first broken bone was my right wrist. Ah, that was fun. My younger brother and I were clowning around at the swimming pool when we were 9 and 10 years old, and when I fell backward, instead of using my arms and hands to protect my head, I put my right hand behind me. Yep, that’s a very good, quite efficient really, way to break the wrist. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818/80 "2022-03-15T15:55:28Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I believe my first broken bone was my right wrist. I think a broken arm / hand is worse than a broken foot, in many ways. Maybe a broken leg would be worse, in terms of ambulation. But I found my 4 weeks in a cast after wrist surgery seriously impacted my ability to function far worse than my broken foot or broken toe did. I’ll have to ask my husband his opinion. He broke his knee just as I was gearing up for wrist surgery (yes, those were “fun” times hereabouts). Given that he required surgery, and thus crutches (and a walker, around the house), that was quite a hassle too. So: ranking our various injuries from least to most impact / difficulty (feel free to insert your own, please!) - Broken tailbone - Broken toe - Broken foot - Broken elbows (separate incidents; one radial head, one radial neck; apparently these are about the only ones that do not mandate surgery) - Broken knee, broken wrist (in my case, not truly a break, but bone surgery due to bone spur / tendon issues) tied for the worst. The knee was due to mobility issues - my husband couldn’t even shower safely without my being there to help him with the logistics, and stairs were terrifying. The wrist impacted almost every daily activity EXCEPT walking around: couldn’t type, couldn’t tie shoes, couldn’t cut my own food, couldn’t drive… And of course WHICH foot / hand is broken makes a difference. If I’d broken my right foot instead of my left, I couldn’t have driven for a month or more. Breaking my right arm in first grade had lasting impact on my handwriting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-official-broken-bone/957818.md?page=5)