Assessment & Treatment

Functions of Skeletal System  Support and Protect the body  Bone marrow produces red blood cells  Add platform for all muscles and other connective tissues to attach

Common Injuries  Fractures Open Closed  Dislocations  Sprains Stretching and tearing of ligaments  Strains Overexertion of muscle

Treatment  Ensure ABCs and any life threatening injuries are addressed  C-Spine precautions  Splinting  Application of ice for BLS and pain management for ALS

Splinting  In unstable patients use LSB to splint entire body and load and go  For individual injuries, splint to the joint above and below the injury  Nearly any item can be used, from pillows to commercial devices  Ensure Pulse, Motor, Sensory are in place before and after splinting

Long Spine Board  Effective for full body immobilization  Use for CPR  Standing Takedowns  Pedi-A-Line LSB  Benefit of Spider strapping system

Hare Traction Splint  Used to realign femur, reduces pain  Must have stable pelvis and stable ankle  Additionally must not have any knee injury pain or deformity  Do not exceed 15 pounds of pull force

Conclusion  Musculoskeletal Injuries may be the most gruesome that EMS providers will see  They may not be the most life threatening injury with the patient  Weigh time it takes to apply splints with benefit of driving to the hospital