EAC Injuries to Bones, Joints, Tendons and Ligaments

Question 1

Classifications of injuries

Answer 1

Fractures
Dislocations
Strain
Sprain

Question 2

define:

Fractures

Answer 2

a break or breaks in the continuity of a bone

Question 3

define:

Dislocations

Answer 3

the head of a bone becomes displaced at a joint

this can have an associated fracture

Question 4

define:

Strain

Answer 4

Over stretching or tearing of a muscle and/or a tendon

Caused when excessive tension or force is applied to a muscle.

Question 5

define:

Sprain

Answer 5

Overstretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint.

Caused when the joint moves beyond its normal range

Question 6

types of fracture

Answer 6

Closed
Open

either can be:
Simple
Complicated

Question 7

define:

Closed fracture

Answer 7

where the skin surface over the fracture site is not broken

Question 8

define:

Open fracture

Answer 8

Where there is a wound leading down to a fracture

the broken ends of the bone do not necessarily need to be protruding

Question 9

define:

Simple fracture

Answer 9

a fracture of the bone only, without damage to the surrounding tissues or breaking of the skin.

Question 10

define:

Complicated fracture

Answer 10

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

Question 11

6 forms of fracture

Answer 11

Greenstick
Transverse
Oblique
Comminuted
Impacted
Spiral

Question 12

define:

Greenstick fracture

Answer 12

a fracture of the bone, occurring typically in children, in which one side of the bone is broken and the other only bent.

Question 13

define:

Transverse fracture

Answer 13

A fracture on a transverse plane across a bone

Question 14

define:

Oblique fracture

Answer 14

An oblique fracture is a relatively common fracture in which the bone breaks diagonally.

Question 15

define:

Comminuted fracture

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

define:

Impacted fracture

Answer 16

An impacted fracture is a fracture in which the bone breaks into multiple fragments which are driven into each other.

Question 17

define:

Spiral fracture

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

4 main causes of injury

Answer 18

Direct force
Indirect force
Muscular action
Pathological

Question 19

define:

Direct force injury

Answer 19

when the bone breaks at the point where the force is applied e.g. from a kick or a blow

Question 20

define:

Indirect force injury

Answer 20

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

Question 21

define:

Muscular action injury

Answer 21

where there is violent contraction of muscles e.g. at the kneecap or elbow

Question 22

define:

Pathological injury

Answer 22

Where disease or degeneration of the bone tissue has weakened the bone to the extent that it collapses under stress.

Question 23

sings and symptoms of:

Fractures

Answer 23

Swelling
Loss of power
Irregularity
Pain
Deformity
Unnatural mobility
Crepitus
Tenderness

Question 24

complications of a fracture

Answer 24

closed # becoming and open #
damage to blood vessels
damage to nerves
risk of fatty embolism
de-gloving
amputations (full or partial)

Question 25

Potential for blood loss from fractures

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Management of:

Fracture

Answer 26

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

Question 27

signs and symptoms of:

Dislocations

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

management of:

Dislocations

Answer 28

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

Question 29

signs and symptoms of:

Sprains and Strains

Answer 29

Swelling, severe with sprain
Severe cramp with strain
Bruising or redness
Pain, increased with movement
Tenderness

Question 30

management of:

Sprains and Strains

Answer 30

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