First Aid in fractures
- 4. Some signs of serious muscle, bone or joint injuries: Significant deformity Bruising and swelling Inability to use the affected part normally Bone fragments sticking out of the wound Person feels bone grating after injury Heard a snap or pop sound at the time of injury The injured area is cold or numb Cause of the injury suggests that the injury may be severe
- 5. Fractures any break in a bone Dislocation when one end of a bone making up a joint is pulled or pushed out of place Sprain when a ligament is torn (ankle, knee, finger…) Strain stretching of a muscle or tendon or mild tearing of muscle (neck, lower back…)
- 6. There are two categories of fractures: Closed (Simple) fracture ○ The skin is intact and no wound exists anywhere near the fracture site. Open (Compound) fracture ○ The skin over the fracture has been damaged or broken. ○ The wound may result from bone protruding through the skin. ○ The bone may not always be visible in the wound. Fractures
- 11. Fractures What to Look for: General signs and Symptoms: ○Tenderness to touch. ○Swelling. ○Deformities may occur when bones are broken, causing an abnormal shape. ○Open wounds break the skin. ○A grating sensation caused by broken bones rubbing together can be felt and sometimes even heard. Do not move the injured limb in an attempt to detect it. ○Loss of use.
- 12. Fractures Additional signs and symptoms include: The history of the injury can lead to suspect a fracture whenever a serious accident has happened. ○ The victim may have heard or felt the bone snap.
- 13. 13 Simple: This is a clean break or crack in the bone Simple Fracture
- 14. 14 Comminute: This is a type of fracture that produces multiple bone fragments Comminuted Fracture
- 15. 15 Green stick: A split in a young, immature bone. Most common in children Green-Stick Fracture 15
- 16. 16 Open: In a open fracture, part of the bone breaks through the skin causing bleeding The exposed bone is Vulnerable to contamination Wound Open Fracture
- 17. 17 Closed: The surrounding skin is unbroken. Closed Fracture
- 18. 18 Open Fractures Call for medical help. 112 If necessary, control bleeding by applying continuous pressure above the fracture site. Cover wound with dry sterile dressing. Stabilize the injured area in position found. Splint if necessary. Monitor and treat for shock if present. Nothing to eat or drink
- 21. 21 Dislocations Partial or full displacement of bones at a joint Tears ligaments Associated fracture External wrenching force Violent muscle contraction Do not attempt to replace joint
- 22. 22 Dislocations Support injured part Secure injured part 112 Circulation (10 minutes) N.B. Traction in extreme locations
- 24. 24 Soft Tissue Injuries - Sprains Sprains are injuries due to: Stretching or tearing ligaments or other tissues at a joint. Caused by a sudden twist or stretch of a joint beyond it’s normal motion 24
- 25. 25 Soft Tissue Injuries - Sprains The Symptoms of a Sprain are: Pain on movement Swelling Tenderness Discoloration 25
- 26. 26 Soft Tissue Injuries - Strains The Symptoms of a strain are; Intense pain Moderate swelling Painful movement Difficult movement Sometimes, discolouration
- 27. 27 Soft Tissue Injuries - Strains A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by over-exertion. In severe cases muscles or tendons are torn and the muscle fibres are stretched. 27
- 28. 28 Assessment of Injuries History: (Ask the casualty what happened) Violent blow or fall Snapping sound Sharp pain Compare: One side of the body against another Visualise: Try and imagine what happened X-ray: Injury may not be obvious 28
- 29. 29 Assessment of injuries Recognition; Difficulty moving limbs Pain made worse by movement Distortion Coarse grating at bone ends Shock (Femur, Ribcage, Pelvis) Shortening, bending or twisting 29
- 30. 30 IF IN DOUBT - TREAT AS A FRACTURE ! Soft Tissue injuries Treatment (RICER) Rest the injured part. Apply Ice or cold compress. (15-20mins) Compress the injury. Elevate the injured part. Rehabilitate / Recuperation 30
- 31. The most common indicator of the severity of the injury is the intensity of the pain. Also the area may be swollen, red and bruised. Follow the below mentioned general guidelines (RICE): Rest: Do not move or straighten the injury Immobilize: Try to stabilize the person in the position he/she was found. Splint or sling the injured part only and caution to move the person; it should not be more painful. Cold: Indirectly cool the part using ice for a maximum of 20 minutes. Remove it for 20 minutes and then cool the part again. Elevate: Only elevate the part if it does not cause more pain.