Injuries to the skeletal system

fracture A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE BREAK IN THE BONE CAUSED FROM: DIRECT IMPACT, COMPRESSION, TORSION, OR REPEATED STRESSFUL MOVEMENTS SIGNS: PAIN AT INJURY SITE EDEMA BRUISING CREPITUS IMMOBILITY PALE OR COLD SKIN DUE TO IMPARIED CIRCULATION BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO TISSUE SURROUNDING THE AREA OF THE FRACTURE; IT IS VITAL NOT TO MAKE THE INJURY WORSE BY IMPAIRING CIRCULATION OR CAUSING NERVE DAMAGE

OPEN AND CLOSED FRACTURES FRACTURES WILL BE OPEN OR CLOSED A CLOSED FRACTURE DOES NOT BREAK THE SKIN IN AN OPEN FRACTURE THE BONE BREAKS THE SKIN, LEAVING AN OPEN WOUND (LACERATION)

Types of fractures

Avulsion fracture AVULSION FRACTURE: A FRAGMENT OF THE BONE IS PULLED AWAY AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF A TENDON, LIGAMENT, OR MUSCLE

Stress fracture Repeated stress over time; it is the wear and tear of bones of body parts that have great demands on them Tibia-fibula in marathon runners A bone scan is needed to diagnose a stress fracture because it is so small that it may not show on a regular x ray until healing and calcification has begun

An incomplete break in the long bone shaft; bone may be partially bent Greenstick fracture An incomplete break in the long bone shaft; bone may be partially bent

Impact fracture One bone fracture becomes embedded into the interior of another bone fragment Most common in contact sports

Longitudinal fracture When the bone splits lengthwise Caused by a hard landing after a jump Also called a fissure fracture

Oblique fracture A diagonal break when one end of a bone receives torsion force and the other remains fixed

Transverse fracture A break across the bone shaft at a right angle Caused by a direct blow Usually seen in contact sports

A break that has “S” shape Caused from twisting Spiral fracture A break that has “S” shape Caused from twisting

Comminuted fracture Three or more fragments at a fracture site Usually seen in contact sports

Compound fracture A fracture where the bone breaks and pierces through the skin Must be surgically repaired Has a high probability of infection

Blow out fracture A break in the floor of the orbital socket Caused from a direct blow to the eye

Salter-harris fracture A fracture across the epiphyseal line (growth plate)

treatment If the fracture is open, control the bleeding Immobilize, apply the splint so that it extends above and below the fracture Hold the splint in place with a wrap P.R.I.C.E Monitor vital signs Monitor blood circulation below injured area by checking pulse below fracture area Check the color and temperature of the skin, if it is cool or pain it means that there is a lack of circulation