Injuries to Muscles, Bones, & Joints Injuries to muscles, bones, and joints often occur as a result of accidents, such as falls, vehicle crashes, or forced impact with equipment or machinery

Four types of muscle, bone, and joint injuries Fractures – a break or disruption in bone tissue Commonly caused by direct, indirect or twisting forces Classified as open or closed Open fractures occur when the skin over the fracture site is broken Closed fractures leave the skin unbroken and are more common than open fractures

Four types of Muscle, Bone, and Joint Injuries Dislocation – a displacement or separation of a bone from its normal position at a joint Can be caused by severe direct, indirect, or twisting forces

Four types of Muscle, Bone, and Joint Injuries Sprain – a partial or complete tearing or stretching of ligaments and other tissues at the joint Usually caused when the bones that form a joint are forced beyond their normal range

Four types of Muscle, Bone, and Joint Injuries Strain – a stretching and tearing of muscle or tendon fibers Sometimes called a muscle pull or tear Often result from overexertion, such as lifting something heavy or working a muscle too hard

Care for Injuries of Musculoskeletal System If nonlife-threatening Giving proper care is more important than identifying the type of injury Do not need to know type of injury Care is same whether injury is a fracture, dislocation, sprain or strain Assume injury to an extremity includes a bone fracture

Care for Injuries of Musculoskeletal System RICE Rest – do not move or straighten injured area Immobilize – stabilize injured area in position found. Splint injured part ONLY if person must be moved and doesn’t cause more pain Cold – fill a plastic bag or wrap ice with a damp cloth and apply ice to injured area for periods of about 20 minutes. Place thin barrier between ice and bare skin. If continued icing is needed, remove pack for 20 minutes and replace for 20 minute intervals Elevate–Do not elevate injured part if causes pain

Key Points A person with an injured lower extemity should not bear weight until advised by a medical professional. If an injured extremity is blue or extremity is pale, call immediately as this may indicate a life-threatening condition!

Splinting A method of immobilizing an injured extremity and should ONLY be used if you have to move or transport a person to seek medical attention and if splinting does not cause more pain If you have to splint – Splint an injury in the position in which you find it Splint the injured area and the joints or bones above and below the injury site Check for circulation (feeling, warmth, and color) before and after splinting.

Splinting Several types of splints Soft splints include folded blankets, towels, pillows and a sling Rigid splints include boards, metal strips, and folded magazines or newspapers Use a triangular bandage to secure the rigid or soft splinting material in place

Splinting Anatomic splints use an injured body part as a splint to immobilize an injured area Can use tape to secure an uninjured finger to the injured one

Splinting The ground can be used as a splint An injured leg stretched out on the ground is splinted!

Musculoskeletal Injuries You can give care to the extremities by giving care that focuses on minimizing pain, shock, and further damage to injured area. Immobilize the injured area, apply ice or a cold pack and take steps to minimize shock. Control any external bleeding Reassure person Care for any life-threatening conditions and call if necessary.

Why do we not cover the fracture site with bandages when splinting a fracture? Excessive pressure applied to a fracture site can complicate the injury It is unnecessary to cover a fracture unless there is bleeding

Why is it better to leave the person’s shoe on when splinting an ankle? The shoe can act as a splint and minimize swelling Removing the shoe may require manipulating the ankle and should only be done by medical professionals

Applying an Anatomic Splint Step 1: Obtain consent Support the injured area above and below site of injury Step 2: Check for feeling, warmth, and color Step 3: Place several folded triangular bandages above and below injured area Step 4: Place uninjured area next to injured area Step 5: Tie triangular bandages securely Step 6: Recheck for feeling, warmth, and color *If unable to check warmth and color because of a sock or shoe is in place, check for feeling

Applying a Soft Splint Step 1 – Obtain consent Support injured area above and below site of injury Step 2 – Check for feeling, warmth, and color Step 3 – place several folded triangular bandages above and below injured area Step 4 – Gently wrap a soft object (a folded blanket or pillow) around the injured area Step 5 – Tie triangular bandages securely Step 6 – Recheck for feeling, warmth, and color * If unable to check warmth and color because a sock or shoe is in place, check for feeling

Applying a Sling and a Binder Check scene for safety Check injured person following standard precautions Call 9-1-1, if necessary Care by Obtain consent Support injured area above and below site of injury Check for feeling, warmth, and color

Applying a Sling and a Binder Place a triangular bandage under the injured arm and over the uninjured shoulder to form a sling Tie ends of sling at side of neck Bind injured area to chest with a folded triangular bandage Recheck for feeling, warmth, and color

Applying a Rigid Splint Check scene for safety Check injured person following standard precautions Call 9-1-1, if necessary Administer care

Applying a Rigid Splint Step 1 – Obtain consent Support injured area above and below site of injury Step 2 – Check for feeling, warmth, & color Step 3 – Place rigid splint (board) under injured area and the joints that are above and below the injured area Step 4 – Tie several folded triangular bandages above and below injured area Step 5 – Recheck for feeling, warmth, and color *If a rigid splint is used on forearm, you must also immobilize the elbow **Bind arm to chest using folded triangular bandages or apply sling

Shock Always check injured person for Shock!

Remember to always be Alert! What is a lert anyways?!