First Aid Chapter 10 & 11 Bone, Joint and Muscle Injuries Splinting the Extremities

Fractures Fracture and broken bone are the same. 2 categories of fx: Closed : Simple Open: Compound

Fractures Closed : Simple Skin is intact. No wound near the fracture

Fractures Open: Compound Skin is damaged or broken. Bone may protrude through skin

Fractures: What to Look For May be difficult to tell if bone is fractured When in doubt, tx as fx Use DOTS

Fractures: DOTS Deformity Open wound Tenderness Swelling Not always obvious. Compare

Fractures: Additional S&S Loss of Use Grating Sensation Hx of injury May or may not occur Can be felt or heard when ends of bones rub together Victim may have heard or felt bone snap

Fractures: What To Do Check and treat ABCs Tx for shock Gently remove clothing covering injured site LAF

Fractures: What To Do LAF: Look And Feel Look at injured site. Swelling? Brusiing? Damaged skin? Gently press, feel for deformity, tenderness

Fractures: What To Do Check circulation, nerves: Arm: Radial pulse Leg: Post tib pulse Sensation: squeeze fingers, toes Movement: Wiggle fingers, toes

Fractures: What To Do RICE Rest Ice Compress Elevate With Ace bandage. Wrap toward the heart Injuries heal faster with rest. For minutes q hours for first hours After stabilized

RICE: Do Not Apply ice for more than minutes at a time Apply heat until after hours.

Fractures: What To Do Stabilize with splint Stabilize: limit movement Reduces pain Prevents damage to muscles,nerves and blood vessels Reduces bleeding and swelling

Types of Splints Improvised Folded newspaper, piece of wood, another body part Commercially prepared

Splints Stabilize before moving Splint in position found Cover wounds before applying splint

Splints Check pulses, if no pulse: try to straighten extremity to restore blood flow. Stabilize above and below injury

Splints Use cravats if possible Tie firmly but not too tight Check pulse after each cravat is tied Leave fingers or toes exposed

Splints RICE after splint is applied SMA immediately if no pulse in injured extremity

Joint Injuries: Dislocation Joint comes apart. Bone ends no longer in contact S&S similar to fx

Joint Injuries: Dislocation What To Do: Check circulation, sensation, movement RICE Splint Do not try to reduce SMA for reduction

Joint Injuries: Sprain Injury to joint ligaments Violent stretching or twisting SS similar to fx What to Do: RICE

Muscle Injuries: Strain Muscle pull Muscle stretched beyond normal ROM

Muscle Injuries: Strain Sharp pain Tenderness Indentation or bump that can be felt or seen Weakness or loss of function of injured part Stiffness and pain with movement What to Do: RICE

Contusions Bruises Swelling, Pain Tenderness Black and blue marks What to Do: RICE

Cramps Muscle in uncontrolled spasm. Severe pain

Cramps: What To Do Have victim gently stretch muscleor Relax muscle by applying pressure to it or Apply Ice or Pinch upper lip hard (accu- pressure) or Drink commercial sports drink

Cramps: Do Not Give salt tablets Massage or rub affected muscle (causes more pain and does not relieve cramping)

Blood Under Nail Painful Ice Elevate Relieve pressure Apply dressing to absorb blood and protect nail Relieve Pressure: Use paper clip Heat with lighter Press against nail until it melts thru Very little pressure is needed

Ring Strangulation Lubricate finger with grease, oil, butter Immerse finger in cold water or apply ice Wind thread around finger toward ring Have ring cut off Insert finger into partially blown up balloon for about 15 minutes

Learning Activities For a suspected fx, check blood flow and nerves. Yes Fractures

Learning Activities Apply cold on a suspected fx. Yes Fractures

Learning Activities A splint can stabilize a fx. Yes Fractures

Learning Activities 10 Scenerio: falls off 10 foot ladder. Pain in left leg. Find deformity, tenderness, swelling. What to do? Check and tx ABCs Tx for shock Check blood flow and nerves Splint, RICE

Learning Activities RICE represents tx for sprains and dislocations. Yes Dislocation and Sprains

Learning Activities Place ice directly on skin. No Dislocation and Sprains

Learning Activities Appling heat too soon to an injury is a common mistake. Yes Dislocation and Sprains

Learning Activities An ACE bandage, when used correctly can help control swelling. Yes Dislocation and Sprains

Learning Activities 10 RICE Scenario: Limping and in pain. Twisted ankle. What to do?

Learning Activities Give salt tablets for cramps. No Muscle Injuries

Learning Activities Apply heat initially to muscle injury. No Muscle Injuries

Learning Activities An elastic bandage, if used correctly, can help limit swelling. Yes Muscle Injuries

Learning Activities 10 RICE Scenario: Bat hits player on thigh. Tenderness and swelling. What to do?

First Aid Kits ItemQuantity Cravats3 Ace bandage1 Paper clip1 String 1 (dental floss or thread)