March 28, 2024

A fracture is any break in a bone. There are two kinds of fracture namely simple (closed) and compound (open).

 

Simple or closed fracture

If the broken bone does not come out through the skin and injury to the surrounding tissue is slight, it is called a simple or closed fracture.

 

Causes of fractures 

  1. A heavy hard object falling on the body.
  2. By colliding with another bigger and heavier object violently.
  3. By automobile accidents.
  4. Falling from a height and landing on a hard object.
  5. By gun shot.

 

Signs of fracture

  1. Pain at the part fractured.
  2. Fractured part swells.
  3. Internal bleeding as broken bones puncture blood vessels.
  4. Fractured part becomes disfigured at the part lengthens or shortens or left in unnatural position.
  5. Inability to move fractured part.

 

Types of fracture

1) Simple or closed fracture: The bone breaks neatly inside the body without causing wound on the flesh and skin over the area.A good example is simple fracture of the upper arm.

 

2) Compound or open fracture: The fractured bone pieces the muscle and skin leading to an open wound. There is the attendant risk of infection of the wound, an example is compound or open fracture of the thing bone.

 

3) Complicated fractures: Below are forms of complicated fractures.

a) Multiple fracture: In this type of fracture, the bone is broken into several pieces or crushed.

 

b) Impacted fracture: The fractured ends of the bone are driven into each other.

 

c) Green stick: The bone is partly broken or cracked. This type is experienced by children with soft tissue bones.

 

d) Depressed fracture: In this type, the broken part is driven inwards e.g. fractured skull.

 

General first aid measures of fractured bones

First aid measures of some fractured bones Humerus (armbone)

1) Place splints in front and back of the fractured bone from the shoulder to the elbow and bandage well (one bandage above and one below) to immobilize the limb, and to keep the bones in place to prevent more damage to the bone and surrounding tissues.

(Note: In absence of bandage, handkerchief, necktie, belt or scarf can be used).

 

2) Place the fractured hand inside the sling with the fingers coming out of the sling as in diagram. This makes the hand to be at a right angle position.

A sling can be made by folding a large piece of cloth or towel diagonally. The two ends of the cloth or towel are then tied around the neck. Sling helps to immobilize the entire arm and gives support.

 

3) The victim should be carried on a stretcher to avoid holding the fractured area so as to prevent more injuries.

 

4) If there is bleeding, this must be treated first before the fracture is tied with splints in order to avoid infection and loss of blood that may lead to fainting.

 

Thigh (femur)

  1. Hold the ankle and foot and as much as possible straighten the limb slightly.
  2. Splint the body from the chest to the feet.
  3. Bandage the chest, waist, ankles, legs and knees.
  4. In absence of splint, tie the two legs together as several places.

 

DISLOCATION

A dislocation is the displacement of a bone at a joint and more often with the tearing of tendons and ligaments around the joint. Most dislocations occur are at the ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, fingers and lower jaw.

 

Signs and symptoms of dislocation

  1. Severe pains at the affected joint.
  2. Swelling around the affected joint.
  3. The limb cannot move at the affected joint.
  4. The length of the limb may not be the same as other limb.
  5. Deformity at the affected joint.
  6. There is no power in the affected limb.

 

First aid

  1. Bind the affected joint with a bandage or handkerchief or piece of cloth so as to give support to the limb. The bandage should not be too tight so that it may not interfere with blood circulation.
  2. Apply cold water or ice water to the bandage frequently to reduce pains.
  3. Rest the patient in bed.
  4. Apply embrocation gently to the affected joint to reduce pains.

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