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Olympic cycling legend has announced that he“smashed” his leg in his “worst crash in 43 years” as he undergoes his cancer treatment. The accident will be deeply frustrating for him - and for anyone unfortunate enough to have such an injury, there are certain symptoms the NHS advises you to look out for.

Since retiring from professional cycling 11 years ago, the six-time Olympic gold medallist said of old age: “You just don't bounce like you do when you're younger.” The NHSurges anyone who thinks they may have broken a leg to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Describing the crash, Hoy said: "It was a big one. I'm doing better now, I'm still on crutches, hobbling about, but by the time I'm there for the darts final on January 3, hopefully I'll be a bit more mobile."

Broken legs most often occur after more serious accidents like a car crash or a significant fall. Broken legs often look:

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• painful, swollen and bruised

• difficult to move

• shorter, twisted or bent

• making a grating noise (if the ends of the broken bones rub together)

If breaks are severe, you may have a wound with the bone sticking out. In terms of assessment and treatment it can be hard to tell if a bone is broken so doctors will often begin with an X-Ray to determine whether you have a break.

The NHS advises you to call 111 if you've injured your leg and:

• it's very painful, or the pain is getting worse

• there's a large amount of swelling or bruising, or the swelling or bruising is getting worse

• it hurts to put weight on it

• it feels very stiff or is difficult to move

However, you are advised to go to A&E or call 999 if:

• your leg is twisted or bent

• a bone is sticking out of your leg

• you have a bad cut or wound on your leg

• your skin is cold and sweaty

• you have a fast or weak pulse

• you’re having difficulty breathing, or your breathing is fast and shallow

• you have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet

In the meantime in both cases you should avoid moving your leg or putting weight on it, or eating and drinking in case you need surgery. Put some padding, such as clothing or a blanket, around the leg to support it, stop any bleeding by putting pressure on any wounds, and use painkillers sensibly.

Treatment for a broken leg depends on the type of break, but will likely involve a cast and a boot to keep your leg still while the bone mends. More serious breaks may require surgery to install plates, rods or screws to hold the bone in place or or a traction pulley may be used for smaller children.

Recovery usually lasts between 6 and 12 weeks to heal, which will include follow-up appointments to check healing progress. It is important people rest during this period When your cast or traction is removed you may need physiotherapy to help strengthen your leg.

Ask your doctor when you can return to contact sports or other activities that put a lot of strain on your leg. Hoy added: "Worse things happen. I've been riding bikes for 43 years and it's the worst crash I've ever had. I'm pretty lucky that's the worst one I've had in all those years of riding.”