Some fractures can be treated while you wait for your doctor or an urgent care center to check them. However, if you can see the shattered bone protruding through the skin, or if your limb is misplaced or deformed as a result of trauma, go to the local ER or contact 911 right once. They may be able to reduce and fix the fracture in emergency room conditions. Other fractures require only painkillers and time to heal on their own. Still other injuries are serious enough to need medical attention immediately. An emergency situation depends on what's causing the problem and how bad it is. If you have a sharp object in your body, like a knife or a screwdriver, get it out right away. Even if you don't think you could use it against someone else, it could still cause you serious harm because it could hit an organ or the brain itself. A broken bone is never an emergency by itself, but certain types of injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.