Bone, Joint, and Muscle Injuries

1
Chapter 14

• Bone, Joint, and Muscle Injuries

2
Bone Injuries

• Fracture and broken bone both mean a break or
  crack in the bone.
• Two categories
• Closed (simple) fracture
• Open (compound) fracture

3
Recognizing Fractures

• Use D-O-T-S
• Deformity
• Open wounds
• Tenderness
• Swelling

4
Caring for Fractures (1 of 2)

• Perform an initial check for life-threatening
  conditions.
• Gently remove clothing covering the injured area.
• Examine the area by looking and feeling for
  D-O-T-S.
• Check blood flow and nerves, using the mnemonic
  CSM (circulation, sensation, movement).

5
Caring for Fractures (2 of 2)

• Stabilize the injured part to prevent movement.
• If the injury is an open fracture, do not push on
  any protruding bones.
• Cover the exposed bones with a dressing.
• Apply an ice pack, if possible.
• Seek medical care.

6
Joint Injuries

• Sprain
• Dislocation

7
Dislocations

• A dislocation occurs when a joint comes apart and
  stays apart with the bone ends no longer in
  contact.
• The shoulders, elbows, fingers, hips, kneecaps,
  and ankles are the joints most frequently
  affected.

8
Recognizing Dislocations

• Deformity (the main sign)
• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Inability of the victim to move the injured joint

9
Care for Dislocations

• Check the CSM.
• Always check the pulses.
• If there is no pulse in the injured extremity,
  transport the victim to a medical facility
  immediately.
• Use the RICE procedures.
• Use a splint to stabilize the joint in the
  position in which it was found.
• Do not try to reduce the joint.
• Seek medical care to reduce the dislocation.

10
RICE Procedure

• R Rest
• I Ice
• C Compression
• E Elevation

11
Sprains

• A sprain occurs when a joint is twisted or
  stretched beyond its normal range of motion.
• When a joint is sprained, the ligaments are
  either partially or completely torn.
• Sprains most often occur in the knee and the
  ankle.

12
Recognizing Sprains

• Severe pain
• Pain prevents the victim from moving or using the
  joint
• Swelling
• Skin around the joint may be discolored because
  of bleeding from torn blood vessels.

13
Care for Sprains

• Follow the RICE procedures.
• Apply ice for 20 minutes.
• Apply compression for 3 to 4 hours.
• Repeat the cycles of ice for 20 minutes and 3
  hours of compression.
• Raise the injured part.
• Swelling in a joint can lead to stiffness in a
  matter of hours.
• Keep a joint from swelling by using cold promptly.

14
Muscle Injuries

• Muscle strain (pull)
• Muscle cramps

15
Strains

• A muscle strain, also known as a muscle pull,
  occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its
  normal range of motion and tears the muscle.
• Inflammation begins immediately after an injury,
  but it can take 24 to 72 hours for pain and
  stiffness to begin.

16
Recognizing Strains

• Sudden, sharp pain in the affected muscle
• Extreme tenderness when the area is touched
• Swelling
• Weakness and inability to use the injured part
• Stiffness and pain when the victim moves the
  muscle
• After a few days, the skin around the injury may
  be discolored.

17
Care for Strains

• To care for strains, simply follow the RICE
  procedures.

18
Cramps

• A cramp occurs when a muscle goes into an
  uncontrolled spasm and contraction.
• Cramps can be divided into two categories
• Night cramps
• Any cramp occurring at night or while an
  individual is at rest
• Heat cramps
• Related to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance

19
Recognizing Cramps

• Sudden, severe pain, usually in the legs
• A knotting of the muscle may be felt and
  sometimes seen.
• Restricts movement

20
Care for Cramps

• Have the victim gently stretch the affected
  muscle.
• Relax the muscle by pressing and massaging it.
• Apply an ice pack.
• Pinch the upper lip hard to reduce calf-muscle
  cramping (acupressure technique).
• Have the victim drink lightly salted cool water.