1. Soft Tissue Injuries:

2. The Skin: Best be described as the skin and subcutaneous layers.
Largest organ of the body.
Epidermis - outermost layer consists of dead cells constantly being rubbed off & replaced.
Dermis - second layer containing sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, Blood vessels, and nerve endings.
Subcutaneous Tissue - innermost layer composed of fat that serves as a body insulator and shock absorber.

3. Functions of the Skin: Water balance. Temperature regulation.
Excretion.
Shock absorption.

4. Closed Soft Tissue Injuries:
Characterized as a wound beneath the unbroken skin.
Contusion.
Hematoma.
Crush injury.

5. Contusion: Bruise Epidermis remains in tact.
Injury to cells and blood vessels in the dermis.
Localized pain & swelling at the site.
Blood accumulation in surrounding tissue causes discoloration. (Ecchymosis).

6. Hematoma: Similar to contusion.
Involves damage to larger blood vessels.
Larger amount of tissue damage.
Shock can result due to blood loss.

7. Crush Injuries: Crushing forces applied to body.
Can cause internal organ rupture.
Internal bleeding may be severe resulting in hypoperfusion.

8. Emergency Medical Care:
BSI.
Assure airway and Oxygenation.
Treat for shock.
Splint painful, swollen, deformed extremities.
Transport.

9. Open Soft Tissue Injuries:
The skin has been opened exposing the tissue beneath.
Risks.
Possible contamination.
Infection.
Indicator of more serious injury/fracture.

10. Types of Open Soft Tissue Injuries:
Abrasions
Lacerations
Avulsions
Punctures/Penetrations
Amputations
Crush injuries

11. Abrasions:
Epidermis is damaged by scraping, rubbing, or shearing forces.
Considered superficial injury.
Painful due to exposed nerve endings.
Blood will ooze from wound (capillary bleeding).
Road rash.
Infection, contamination, & potential for underlying injury.

12. Lacerations: Break in the skin of varying depth.
May be linear, smooth edges.
May be stellate or jagged edges.
Caused by forceful impact with sharp object.
Bleeding may be severe.

13. Avulsions:
Flaps of skin or tissue are torn loose or pulled completely off.
Replace flap carefully in place and apply large bulky dressing and bandage in place.

14. Amputations: Involves the extremities and other body parts.
Bleed may be massive but in most cases, very little bleeding occurs.

15. Penetrations/Punctures:
Caused by sharp pointed object.
May be no external bleeding.
Internal bleeding may be severe.
Exit wound may be present.
EXAMPLES
Gunshot wound.
Stab wound.

16. Crush Injuries: Damage to soft tissue and internal organs.
May cause painful, swollen, deformed extremity.
External bleeding may be minimal or absent.
Internal bleeding may be severe.