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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30. Muscle Injuries: Strain
Muscle pull
Muscle stretched beyond normal ROM

31. 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

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

33. Cramps
Muscle in uncontrolled spasm.
Severe pain

34. 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

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

36. 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

38. 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