Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DISLOCATIONS AND
FRACTURES
Contusions (bruises)
- Result of trauma to the skin which causes
Strains
Occurs when a muscle is exposed to a
Sprains
A sprain occurs at a joint and is normally associated
IMPORTANT!
If you are unsure whether the injury is a soft
tissue injury or a fracture or a dislocation, treat
as a fracture or dislocation until proven
otherwise. After going through the usual
assessment procedures, the management of
this group of injuries is similar.
Dislocations
Injuries to joints where one bone is displaced from another
Can be caused by direct trauma or abnormal twisting, often
furthest from the heart than the injury site) is unable to be located,
or there is altered sensation, such as numbness.
Dislocations-treatment
CAUSES:
Direct force-bone is broken at site of impact
Abnormal muscle contraction
Indirect force-bone breaks some distance from the
point of impact.
Diseased bone-(causes include osteoporosis and
cancer)
Types of Fractures
Type of
Fracture
Definition
Associated
Factors
Open
(compound)
Visible external
fractured bone
protrudes through the
skin
bleeding occurs.
Infection may enter
the body and the
bone.
Compound Fracture
Photographs
Fractures-treatment &
If responsive:
Conduct a Primary Survey and act accordingly
- management
fracture. If unsure, keep the victim still and comfortable and call an
ambulance.
- Immobilise the joint above and below the fracture site, if possible.
- If necessary, splint in position of comfort for the victim.
(Refer to Lippmann & Natoli (2006), pp 51-52) for splinting and
immobilisation technique examples.
- Do not attempt to realign a badly deformed limb
- Where possible, an immobilised fractured limb should be elevated
to reduce pain and swelling.
- Treat for shock
- Support a fractured jaw with the hand. If necessary, pull the lower
jaw forward to keep the airway open.
Fractures-treatment &
Management
If unresponsive:
- Arrange urgent medical treatment
- Immediately place the victim in the
recovery position
- Conduct a Primary Survey and Vital
Sign Surveys and act accordingly.
Slings-Full
Arm
Sling
When to use: Injuries to the forearm
and wrist
How to apply:
-Support the injured forearm
approximately parallel to the ground with
the wrist slightly higher than the elbow
-Place an opened triangular bandage
between the body and the arm, with its
apex towards the elbow
-Extend the upper point of the bandage
over the shoulder on the uninjured side
-Bring the lower point up over the arm,
across the shoulder on the injured side
to join the upper point and tie firmly.
-Ensure the elbow is secured by folding
the excess bandage over the elbow and
securing with a safety pin
Slings-Elevation Sling
When to use: Injuries to the shoulder and collar bone
How to apply:
Support the casualtys arm with the elbow
beside the body and the hand extended
towards the uninjured shoulder
-Place an opened triangular bandage over
the forearm and hand, with the apex
towards the elbow
-Extend the upper point of the bandage
over the uninjured shoulder
-Tuck the lower part of the bandage under
the injured arm, bring it under the elbow
and around the back and extend the
lower point up to meet the upper point at
the shoulder
-Tie firmly with a reef knot
-Secure the elbow by folding the excess
material and applying a safety pin, then
ensure that the sling is tucked under the
arm giving firm support
How to apply:
-allow the elbow to hang naturally at the side and place the hand
extended towards the shoulder on the uninjured side
-using a narrow fold triangular bandage, form a clove hitch by forming two
loops one towards you, one away from you
-put the loops together by sliding your hands under the loops and closing
with a clapping motion.
-If you are experienced at forming a clove hitch, then apply a clove hitch
directly on the wrist, but take care not to move the injured arm
-slide the clove hitch over the hand and gently pull it firmly to secure the
wrist
-extend the points of the bandage to either side of the neck and tie firmly
with a reef knot
-allow the arm to hang comfortably. Should further support be required, eg
for support to fractured ribs, apply triangular bandages around the body