Bone, muscle, joint first aid

Muscle/Bone & Joint Injuries

Muscles

600 in body Muscles attach to bones

by tendons shorten & lengthen –

contract/relax Have electrical impulses

to produce contractions Paralysis- loss of nerve

impulses

Bones

• 200 in body• Hard & dense=strong• Have a lot of blood

supply thus increasing bleeding

• Children have flexible bones, don’t break as much.

• Problem if break in growth plate

Osteoporosis

• Silent disease• Common in age > 60Risk factors:

-female-elderly-family history-small, thin frame- menopause

Prevention:-diet –calcium, vitamin D & minerals-Exercise-don’t smoke- low alcohol intake

Osteoporosis

Joints

-Ends where 2 or more bones meet-Held together by ligaments

Fracture-break, chip or crack in bone

Open fracture• Involves open wound• Bone may be sticking out• Risk infection & bleeding

Closed fracture• Skin not broken

Dislocation-movement of a bone at a joint away from normal position

• Caused by violent force• Ligaments may be torn

Joint injury

Sprain• Tearing of ligaments• May cause a dislocation

strain• Stretching/tearing of

muscles or tendons

S/SX of bone/joint injury

• Pain• Bruising /swelling• Deformity• Can’t use part that is hurt• Bone sticking out• Grating sound• Heard snap, pop• Cold, numb, tingling• Cause of injury

Treatment

Rest-don’t moveImmobilize-Cold-20 min. on & off– Barrier b/t ice & skin– No heat/hot tubs

Elevate-helps to decrease swelling

Splinting

Only if: you have to move- doesn’t increase

pain-Splint as foundFractures: splint above &

below jointSprains/joint injury: splint

above & below injuryMonitor CSM: Circulation

Sensation Movement

Types of splints

• Anatomic• Soft splint• Rigid splint• The ground

Head/Neck /Spinal Injuries

• Life threatening• More common in malesComplications:

- paralysis - memory loss- speech

problems

Dx: CT scan/MRI

Brain Injuries

Brain bleeds

Increases pressure

Damages brainCausing more

damage/increase swelling

Herniate brain ( push down

through spinal column)

Spinal cord injury

• Vertebrae –bones that protect spinal cord

• Disks- cartilage b/t vertebrae to provide cushions

s/sx of head/neck/spinal injury

• Head/neck injury• Car crash• Fall from high place• Helmet broken• Tingling, weakness• Change in LOC• Appears intoxicated• > 65 years old• < 3 years old

Tx: 911 stabilize head/neck

Concussion

• Temporary loss of brain function

s/sx: confusion - headache - asking what happened - temporary memory loss - Loss of consciousness - N/V - speech problems - blurred vision/light sensitivity

Treat concussion

Tx: All should be evaluated- stabilize head/neck-ABC- Control bleeding- do not apply pressure if deformity of skull

- if CSF leaking- cover - reassure

Pelvic injuries

• Pelvis large bones of hips• Could be seriouss/sx: severe pain

-bruising-bleeding-N/V-tenderness in abdomen-loss of sensation in legs- shock

Tx: do not move, ? Spine injury