Musculoskeletal and Extremity Injuries

Question 1

What are the different types of musculoskeletal injuries?

Answer 1

• Sprains.
• Strains.
• Fractures.
• Dislocations.

Question 2

What are sprains?

Answer 2

An injury to a ligament or the joint capsule.

The severity of a sprain may range from partial tearing to complete rupture of the fibres of the ligament.

Question 3

What is a strain?

Answer 3

An injury to the muscle tendon unit.

Are usually the result of a sudden intense contraction or abnormal stretch of the affected muscle.

The severity of a strain may range from a slight stretch to a complete rupture of a muscle or tendon.

Question 4

What is a fracture?

Answer 4

Is a break in the continuity of bone. May be caused by direct trauma, twisting, severe muscle spasm or a disease (osteoporosis).

Question 5

What are the different classifications of a fracture?

Answer 5

1. Closed or simple: skin reins intact.

2. Open or compound: the skin is broken by the damaged bone.

Question 6

What is a dislocation?

Answer 6

Is the displacement of a bone from a joint.

In order to occur there must be damage to the joint capsule and severe damage to the ligaments.

Must be reduced by a physician.

Question 7

What are the signs and symptoms of a serious musculoskeletal injury?

Answer 7

• Method of injury suggests its severe.
• Loud snap, crack or pop.
• Significant deformity.
• Severe local or referred pain.
• Moderate to severe swelling and discoloration.
• Severe loss of function.
• Bone fragments protruding from open wounds.
• Loss of sensation or circulation.

Question 8

How do you manage musculoskeletal injuries?

Answer 8

• Ensure scene safety.
• Do no harm.
• Rest, calm and reassure.
• ABC’s
• Consider immediate activation of EMS.

Question 9

When should EMS be activated with a musculoskeletal injury?

Answer 9

• Injuries that involve the head, neck and back.
• Injuries that impair breathing.
• Injuries the involve severe bleeding.
• Suspect or see multiple injuries.

Question 10

What is the purpose of immobilization and splinting?

Answer 10

• Lessen pain.
• Prevent further soft tissue damage.
• Reduce the risk of serious injury.
• Reduce the risk of losing circulation.
• Prevent simple fractures from becoming compound.
• -Reduces the chances of shock.

Question 11

What are the general guidelines for immobilization and splinting?

Answer 11

1. Support the injured body part.
2. Cover any open wound with proper dressing and bandages.
3. Check circulation and sensation below the injury.
4. Can make one attempt to realign major angulated deformities.
5. Pad all rigid splints before application.
6. Secure the splint with none elastic bandages.
7. Reassess circulation and sensation.
8. Elevate the splinted region.