The most obvious sign of a fracture is pain. Once a bone breaks, you can no longer put pressure on the area, or if you can, it’s only partial pressure and it causes intense pain. Aside from pain, fractures also cause swelling, bruising and sometimes bleeding (in the case of compound fractures). Fractures near the joint might restrict movement. Depending on the intensity of the pain or the location, you might also feel dizzy, and look pale or faint. This is especially true of fractures of the femur or pelvis. Although a provider might be able to tell that a bone is broken just by observing or touching the area, x-rays are usually required to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, x-rays also show the type and extension of the fracture and help the provider decide what type of treatment is best.