Bone, Joint and Muscle Injuries Splinting the Extremities First Aid Bone, Joint and Muscle Injuries Splinting the Extremities

Fractures *Fracture v. Broken? *2 categories of fx: *Closed : Simple Open: Compound

Fractures Closed : Simple *Skin is intact. *No wound near the fracture

Fractures Open: Compound *Skin is damaged or broken. *Bone may protrude through skin HIGH RISK FOR….. INFECTION!!

Fractures: What to Look For *May be difficult to tell if bone is fractured *When in doubt, tx as fx *Use DOTS

Fractures: DOTS Deformity Open wound Tenderness Swelling Not always obvious. Compare

Fractures: Additional S&S Loss of Use Grating Sensation Hx of injury May or may not occur Can be felt or heard when ends of bones rub together Victim may have heard or felt bone snap

Fractures: What To Do *Check and treat ABCs *Tx for shock *Gently remove clothing covering injured site *LAF

Fractures: What To Do LAF: Look And Feel Look at injured site. Swelling? Brusiing? Damaged skin? Gently press, feel for deformity, tenderness

Fractures: What To Do Check circulation, nerves: *Arm: Radial pulse *Leg: Post tib pulse *Sensation: squeeze fingers, toes *Movement: Wiggle fingers, toes

Fractures: What To Do *RICE Rest Ice Compress Elevate Injuries heal faster with rest. For 20 - 30 minutes q 2 - 3 hours for first 24 - 48 hours With Ace bandage. Wrap toward the heart After stabilized

RICE: Do Not *Apply ice for more than 20- 30 minutes at a time *Apply heat until after 48 - 72 hours.

Fractures: What To Do Stabilize with splint Stabilize: limit movement Reduces pain Prevents damage to muscles, nerves and blood vessels Reduces bleeding and swelling

Types of Splints Improvised Commercially prepared Folded newspaper, piece of wood, another body part Commercially prepared

Splints *Stabilize before moving *Splint in position found *Cover wounds before applying splint

Splints *Check pulses, if no pulse: try to straighten extremity to restore blood flow. *Stabilize above and below injury

Splints *Use cravats if possible *Tie firmly but not too tight *Check pulse after each cravat is tied *Leave fingers or toes exposed

Splints *RICE after splint is applied *SMA immediately if no pulse in injured extremity

Joint Injuries: Dislocation *Joint comes apart. *Bone ends no longer in contact *S&S similar to fx

Joint Injuries: Dislocation What To Do: Check circulation, sensation, movement RICE Splint Do not try to reduce SMA for reduction

Joint Injuries: Sprain Injury to joint ligaments Violent stretching or twisting SS similar to fx What to Do: RICE

Muscle Injuries: Strain Muscle pull Muscle stretched beyond normal ROM

Muscle Injuries: Strain Sharp pain Tenderness Indentation or bump that can be felt or seen Weakness or loss of function of injured part Stiffness and pain with movement What to Do: RICE

Contusions What to Do: RICE Bruises Swelling, Pain Tenderness Black and blue marks What to Do: RICE

Cramps Muscle in uncontrolled spasm. Severe pain

Cramps: What To Do Have victim gently stretch muscle or Relax muscle by applying pressure to it or Apply Ice or Pinch upper lip hard (accu-pressure) or Drink commercial sports drink

Cramps: Do Not Give salt tablets Massage or rub affected muscle (causes more pain and does not relieve cramping)

Blood Under Nail Painful Ice Elevate Relieve pressure Apply dressing to absorb blood and protect nail Relieve Pressure: Use paper clip Heat with lighter Press against nail until it melts thru Very little pressure is needed

Ring Strangulation Lubricate finger with grease, oil, butter Immerse finger in cold water or apply ice Wind thread around finger toward ring Have ring cut off

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