FRACTURE
A fracture is an injury to the BONE, a break in the continuity of the bone. This can be a crack, a splinter a partial separation, or a complete separation. Some fractures can be complicated, where the surrounding tissue is damaged causing bleeding or where the bone protrudes through the skin.
Signs and Symptoms of a fracture
- Pain is the primary symptom.
- Swelling at the affected site
- Deformity or shortening of the limb
- Tenderness at the affected part
- Grating or restricted movement
- Guarding
- Exposed bone ends
MANAGEMENT
- Support and immobilize the limb by splinting.
- Improvisation may be required to access suitable solid material as a splint. You can use any stick, branch tree bundle of newspaper.
- The joints above and below the fracture should be immobilized.
- Refer the casualty for medical treatment.
- Elevate the affected part to reduce the swelling.
- Use Icepack to reduce swelling.
- Use a triangular Bandage for elevation as shown in the image.
The aim of management of a fracture is to immobilize the area to:
- Prevent damage to surrounding nerves, tissue, and blood vessels
- Minimize swelling and bleeding
- Minimize pain
DISLOCATIONS
It is a separation of the bone from its normal position within the joint. The most common joints to suffer dislocation are the shoulder, elbow, finger, hips, and ankle. The principal symptoms of dislocation are
- Pain in the joint
- LOSS OF MOTION.
- The principal sign is a deformity.
If the dislocated bone is pressing on nerves or blood vessels there may be numbness or paralysis below the dislocation
DO NOT ENCOURAGE OR TRY TO REPLACE THE DISLOCATION.
REFER FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
- Support and immobilize the joint in the position it was found.
- Use a triangular bandage.
SPRAINS
A sprain is an injury to a joint where the ligaments surrounding a joint have been damaged. This usually occurs from the sudden twisting of the joint beyond its normal range of movement. Sprains most commonly affect the wrist, knees, and ankles.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Pain
- Swelling
- Discolorations
MANAGEMENT
Remember the Sequence RICE
- Rest Give rest to the injured part, do not move it or try to fix it by yourself.
- Ice Use ice to compress it. Cold compression will not allow the body fluid to accumulate around the injured part therefore the swelling will be less
- Compression bandage to immobilize joint
- Elevation Elevate the injured part above the ground level. This will lead to decreased blood flow in that area hence there will be less accumulation of fluid resulting in less swelling.
- And refer for medical treatment.
Crepe bandage is used for ankle sprain.
STRAINS
A strain is a soft tissue injury, usually affecting the muscles around a joint. A strain is often caused by over-exertion or working a muscle too hard.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pain on active movement
MANAGEMENT
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF THE INJURY IS A SPRAIN, STRAIN, DISLOCATION, OR FRACTURE, TREAT IT AS A FRACTURE SUPPORT AND IMMOBILISE.