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Musculoskeletal injuries are most commonly caused by—

Mechanical forms of energy.

Chemicals.

Electrical energy.

Heat

Mechanical energy produces direct, indirect, twisting and contracting forces. AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–

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Can be classified according to the body structures that are damaged. Some injuries may involve more than one structure.

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Injuries to an extremity—an arm or leg—are quite common.

Can range from a simple bruise to a dangerous or severely painful injury, such as a fracture of the femur (thigh bone).

The prompt care you give can help prevent further pain, damage and a life-long disability.



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The extremities consist of—

Bones.

Soft tissue.

Blood vessels.

Nerves.

An injury can also affect the soft tissue and the musculoskeletal system.



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The upper extremities are the parts of the body from the shoulder to the fingers.

The bones of the upper extremity include the—

Collarbone (clavicle).

Shoulder blade (scapula).

Upper arm (humerus).

Forearm (radius and ulna).

Wrist (carpals).

Hand (metacarpals).

Fingers (phalanges).AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–


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The lower extremity is the part of the body from the hip (pelvis) to the toes.

The bones of the lower extremity include the— Pelvic bones.Thigh bone (femur).Kneecap (patella). Lower leg (tibia and fibula).Ankle (tarsals). Feet (metatarsals).Toes (phalanges).



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Fracture

Dislocation

Sprain

Strain

Fractures are breaks or cracks in a bone. ▫ Compound facture - a break and

an open wound

▫ Simple fracture – a break with no accompanying open wound

Symptoms:▫ Deformity

▫ Limited or loss of motion

▫ Pain and swelling

▫ Discoloration

▫ Protrusion of bone through the skin

▫ Hearing the bone break

▫ Grating sensation

A dislocation occurs when a bone separates from a joint or is moved out of place in the joint.

Symptoms:▫ Deformity

▫ Limited or abnormal movement

▫ Swelling

▫ Discoloration

▫ Pain

▫ Shortening or lengthening of the limb

A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligaments and

tendons around a joint.

Symptoms:

▫ Swelling

▫ Discoloration

▫ Pain

▫ Possibly limited motion

A strain occurs when a muscle is overused or overstretched. Strain injuries are common in the back.

Symptoms:

▫ Sudden pain

▫ Swelling

▫ Bruising

Deformity Moderate or severe pain or discomfort, swelling and

discoloration Inability to move or use the affected body part Bone fragments protruding from a wound Victim feels bones grating or felt or heard a snap or

pop at time of injury Loss of circulation or sensation in an extremity Tingling, cold or bluish color below the site of the

injury Cause of the injury that suggests the injury may be

severe



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Check first for any life-threatening conditions.

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if:

The injury involves the head, neck or back.

The injury impairs walking or breathing.

You see or suspect a fracture or dislocation.

You see or suspect multiple musculoskeletal injuries.

Check for any non-life-threatening conditions and care for any other injuries.



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The general care for musculoskeletal injuries includes following RICE:

Rest

Ice

Compression

ElevationAMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–


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REST◦ Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

ICE◦ Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold

pack immediately to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day

COMPRESSION◦ Compression, or wrapping the injured or sore area with an

elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling. Don't wrap it too tightly

ELEVATE◦ Elevate the injured or sore area on pillows while applying

ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–


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If you are unsure whether the injury is serious, care for it as if it is a serious injury.

Take steps to minimize shock. Comfort and reassure the victim.



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Control any external bleeding with direct pressure.

Support the injured extremity and minimize any movement of the injured part by splinting the injured part in place.

Check for feeling, warmth and color before and after applying a splint.

Apply ice or a cold pack to the injured area.

Take steps to minimize shock.AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–


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If a femur fracture, fractured leg is usually shorter and foot is turned outward.

Majority of lower extremity injuries will have deformities, severe pain and inability to move.



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Immobilize the injured area. If the knee is bent and cannot be

straightened without pain, support it on a pillow or folded blanket in the bent position.

If the knee is on the ground, the ground will provide support.

If you decide to splint and the knee is straight, secure it to the uninjured leg.

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.



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You can care for musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries to the extremities by giving care that focuses on minimizing— Pain. Shock. Further damage to the injured area.

Immobilize the injured area, apply ice or a cold pack and take steps to minimize shock.

Control any external bleeding. Reassure the victim.

Care for any life-threatening conditions and call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if necessary

The purposes of immobilizing an injury are to—

Lessen pain.

Reduce the risk of serious bleeding.

Reduce the possibility of loss of circulation to the injured part.

Prevent closed fractures from becoming open fractures.

Prevent further damage to soft tissues.

There are three types of splints:

Soft

Rigid

Anatomic

Support the injured part in the position in which you find it.

Cover any open wounds with a dressing and bandage.

Check the area below the injury site for feeling, warmth and color.

Apply the splint to immobilize the joints or bones above and below the injured area.

Secure the splint in place.

Recheck below the injury site for feeling, warmth and color.

Elevate the splinted part.AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–


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Help the victim rest in the most comfortable position.

After the injury is immobilized, apply ice or a cold pack.

Monitor the victim’s—

Level of consciousness.

Breathing.

Skin color.

Temperature.

Take steps to minimize shock.



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Rigid arm splint

Rigid leg splint

Rigid finger splint

Homemade leg splint with a pillow

Homemade arm splint with a board and handkerchiefs

Crutches are supports that help a patient ambulate, or walk.

Patients use crutches when they are unable to put weight on an injured or impaired leg, knee, ankle or foot.

It is important that crutches fit the patient properly and are used correctly by the patient.

Axillary crutches are placed under the axilla, or underarms, with the patient’s weight being applied to the hands.

Likewise, with forearm crutches, a patient inserts arms through holders, grasps handles, and then supports weight on the hands.

Platform crutches are designed for patients who cannot grasp handles or bear weight on their hands.

A gait is a method of walking.

There are several gaits that

can be used with crutches.

The best gait for a patient is

determined based on the

injury.

There are several types of crutch gaits.◦ Four-point◦ Three-point◦ Two-point◦ Swing-to◦ Swing-throughhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XkvmpNJ-X8&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jcKJMCbQrL0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XkvmpNJ-X8&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jcKJMCbQrL0

Splint only if you have to move the injured person.

Splint an injury in the position in which you find it.

Splint the injured area and the joints or bones above and below the injury site.

Check for feeling, warmth and color before and after splinting.

Questions?



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