Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
Types of fractures (12)
- Open - Closed - Bowing - Depressed - Greenstick - Longitudinal - Impacted - Spiral - Transverse - Comminuted - Blowout - Stress
What to do for a dislocation
- don't move the joint: could put it in a sling or splint (attempting to move or jam a dislocated bone back in can damage blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and nerves) - ice: reduce swelling and control internal bleeding - get medical help- see doctor
When should you also call 911 for fractures?
- if you suspect they've broken a bone in their head, neck, or back - the fractured bone has pushed through their skin - they're bleeding heavily
Splinting
- leave the joint in position found and move it as little as possible - check pulse before and after splinting - splint above and below the fracture
Recovery for dislocations
- rehab: restore joints range of motion and strength - surgery: if blood vessels or nerves are damaged, dislocated can't be replaced, or recurring dislocations occur
Types of splinting (3)
- vacuum splints, air splints - ace bandage (sling) - creative splints (magazine, boards, sticks, pens, etc.) if no pulse is found, call EMS right away - do not waste time splinting
Statistics of fractures
1. 40% of fractures happen at the home (22% inside and 18% outside) 2. Approx. 6.3 million fractures happen each year in the U.S.
What are the four types of knee sprains?
1. ACL 2. MCL 3. PCL 4. LCL
What are the three types of ankle sprains?
1. Inversion: most common, foot turns inward 2. Eversion: less common, foot turns outward 3. High ankle sprain: pretty much exactly like eversion
What are the three types of strains?
1. Mild 2. Moderate 3. Severe
Compression: sprains and strains (5)
1. after icing, use an elastic wrap for compression 2. compression reduces swelling and increases the absorption of fluids 3. start below (away from the heart) then injury and work upwards (towards the heart) 4. Start tight and get looser as you go upward 5. leave it on at all times, except when icing and sleeping
Ice: strains and sprains (6)
1. apply ice right after injury 2. reduces pain and muscle spasms 3. causes constriction of blood vessels thus reduces swelling 4. crushed ice is best but anything will work 5. apply 15-20 minutes at a time (longer may cause frostbite) 6. apply 3-4 times a day for the first 3 days (72 hours)
What are the causes of dislocation? (4)
1. by a fall or hard blow to the joint 2. common in contact sports 3. sports involving falls 4. rheumatoid arthritis
Elevation: sprains and strains (2)
1. elevate the injured area above the level of the heart 2. decreases internal bleeding
Symptoms of a broken bone (5)
1. intense pain in the injured area that gets worse when you move it. 2. numbness in the injured area 3. bluish color, swelling, or visible deformity in the injured area 4. bone protruding through the skin 5. heavy bleeding at the injury site
Rest: strains and sprains (3)
1. it is essential for proper healing 2. depending on the location and the extent of the injury it may mean using tape, wraps, splints, casts, and crutches 3. too much movement too soon after the injury may cause more tissue damage and increase swelling thus prolonging the recovery time
Sprain facts (2)
1. slow injury to heal because of lack of blood supply 2. surgery may be required
Treatment of fractures (5)
1. stop any bleeding: if they're bleeding, elevate and apply pressure to the wound using a sterile bandage, a clean cloth, or a clean piece of clothing 2. apply cold to the area: wrap an ice pack or bag of ice cubes in a piece of cloth and apply it to the injured area for up to 10 minutes at a time. 3. immobilize the injured area: if you suspect they've broken a bone in their neck of back, help them stay as still as possible. if you suspect they've broken a bone in one of their limbs, immobilize the area using a splint or sling. 4. treat them for shock: help them get into a comfortable position, encourage them to rest, and reassure them. Cover them with a blanket or clothing to keep them warm 5. Get professional help: get them to an emergency department for professional care
What are the signs and symptoms of dislocation? (5)
1. swollen 2. bruised or red 3. painful 4. difficult to move 5. out of place
Commonly strained muscles are...
1. thigh/quads 2. hamstring 3. calf 4. groin
Impacted
A bone fracture in which one of the fragments is driven into another fragment
When can a strain happen?
A strain can happen doing any activity
Any muscle can be strained (True or False)
True
What does R.I.C.E. stand for?
R- Rest I- Ice C- Compression E- Elevation
What happens on an ACL sprain?
a pop inside your knee at the moment of injury. There is black-and-blue discoloration around the knee, and knee instability
What is a severe strain?
The muscle/tendon is partially or completely ruptured, often resulting in an incapacitating injury
Where do sprains usually take place?
Usually happens to ankles, knees, elbows, and/or fingers
What is another name for a strain?
a pulled muscle
What is the definition of a fracture?
a complete or partial breaking of bone
What is the definition of a dislocation?
a complete or partial displacement of a bone from normal position in a joint
What is an open fracture?
bone is sticking through the skin
What is a longitudinal fracture?
bone splits along its length
What does a ligament connect?
bone to bone at joints
What is a comminuted fracture?
consist of 3 or more fragments @ fracture site or crushed
What is a bowing fracture?
fracture in children where the bone bends but doesn't break
What is a spiral fracture?
have a S-shaped separation
Where are dislocations most common?
in the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, ankle, fingers, and toes
What happens on an LCL sprain?
knee pain and swelling, knee buckling toward the inside
What happens on an MCL sprain?
knee pain and swelling, knee buckling toward the outside
What happens on a PCL sprain?
mild knee swelling, with or without knee instability, mild difficulty in moving the knee
What is a depressed fracture?
occurs in flat bones such as the skull
What is a transverse fracture?
occurs in straight line
What is a blowout fracture?
occurs to wall of eye orbit as a result of a blow to the eye
What is a greenstick fracture?
simple break which one side of bone is broken while other side is bent
What is the definition of a strain?
tearing of muscles, tissues, or tendons
What is a closed fracture?
the bone does not break through the skin
What is a moderate strain?
the muscle/tendon is overstretched an slightly torn, which results in some loss of function
What is a mild strain?
the muscle/tendon is slightly stretched or pulled
What is the definition of a sprain?
the tearing (complete or partial) or stretch of ligaments
What is a stress fracture?
tiny cracks in bone, occurs from overuse or repetitive application
A dislocation is different than a seperation (true or false)
true