EAC Injuries to Bones, Joints, Tendons and Ligaments Flashcards
Classifications of injuries
Fractures
Dislocations
Strain
Sprain
define:
Fractures
a break or breaks in the continuity of a bone
define:
Dislocations
the head of a bone becomes displaced at a joint
this can have an associated fracture
define:
Strain
Over stretching or tearing of a muscle and/or a tendon
Caused when excessive tension or force is applied to a muscle.
define:
Sprain
Overstretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint.
Caused when the joint moves beyond its normal range
types of fracture
Closed
Open
either can be:
Simple
Complicated
define:
Closed fracture
where the skin surface over the fracture site is not broken
define:
Open fracture
Where there is a wound leading down to a fracture
the broken ends of the bone do not necessarily need to be protruding
define:
Simple fracture
a fracture of the bone only, without damage to the surrounding tissues or breaking of the skin.
define:
Complicated fracture
Where there is an associated injury to important structures (organs, blood vessels, nerves)
When the fracture is associated with a dislocation
When the bone is broken into several small pieces
When the broken ends are impacted together
6 forms of fracture
Greenstick Transverse Oblique Comminuted Impacted Spiral
define:
Greenstick fracture
a fracture of the bone, occurring typically in children, in which one side of the bone is broken and the other only bent.
define:
Transverse fracture
A fracture on a transverse plane across a bone
define:
Oblique fracture
An oblique fracture is a relatively common fracture in which the bone breaks diagonally.
define:
Comminuted fracture
A comminuted fracture is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments. Since considerable force and energy is required to fragment bone, fractures of this degree occur after high-impact trauma such as in vehicular accidents.
define:
Impacted fracture
An impacted fracture is a fracture in which the bone breaks into multiple fragments which are driven into each other.
define:
Spiral fracture
A spiral fracture (a.k.a. torsion fracture) is a bone fracture occurring when torque (a rotating force) is applied along the axis of a bone. Spiral fractures often occur when the body is in motion while one extremity is planted.
4 main causes of injury
Direct force
Indirect force
Muscular action
Pathological
define:
Direct force injury
when the bone breaks at the point where the force is applied e.g. from a kick or a blow
define:
Indirect force injury
When the bone breaks at some distance from the spot where force has been applied e.g. clavicle fractured although the force was applied to a hand during a fall. or landing heavily on the feet and injuring the spine
define:
Muscular action injury
where there is violent contraction of muscles e.g. at the kneecap or elbow
define:
Pathological injury
Where disease or degeneration of the bone tissue has weakened the bone to the extent that it collapses under stress.
sings and symptoms of:
Fractures
Swelling Loss of power Irregularity Pain Deformity Unnatural mobility Crepitus Tenderness
complications of a fracture
closed # becoming and open # damage to blood vessels damage to nerves risk of fatty embolism de-gloving amputations (full or partial)
Potential for blood loss from fractures
Pelvis 1000ml-massive Femur 1000-2000ml Humerus 500-1000ml Tibia or Fibula 500-1000ml Ankle 250-500ml Elbow 250-500ml Radius or Ulna 250-500ml
Management of:
Fracture
Always assuming a fracture if in doubt.
Treating a fracture before moving the pt unless in obviously dangerous surrounding or conditions.
Administering Entonox/Analgesia
Reassuring and explaining
Support and immobilise the affected part of the body to prevent movement and to control the body part.
Straighten Limbs where possible without causing unnecessary pain.
Immobilising fractures avoiding direct pressure over injury site.
Apply a wound dressing to open fractures.
For hip/NoF # strap the injured leg to the other leg with padding between legs.
Making pt’s comfortable when not possible to splint.
Place pt in a comfortable position and if possible raise the injury to reduce swelling
Check often to ensure bandages haven’t become to tight due to swelling
Check for circulation and nerve impairment above and below injury site
signs and symptoms of:
Dislocations
As for a fracture, except there is a fixation of the joint and therefore no movement. Often is impossible to distinguish between a fracture and a dislocation if the injury is near a joint.
management of:
Dislocations
Managing as for a fracture but apply the following: Not attempting to move or straighten the injury Immobilising by the best means possible Improvising if necessary
signs and symptoms of:
Sprains and Strains
Swelling, severe with sprain Severe cramp with strain Bruising or redness Pain, increased with movement Tenderness
management of:
Sprains and Strains
Any doubt treat as a fracture Rest and support for the injured limb Soft padding around limb Firm pressure over injury Cold compress to reduce swelling Pain relief
