SOFT TISSUE INJURIES, DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES

Soft tissue injuriesContusions, strains and sprains all fall under the classification of soft tissue injury.

Contusions (bruises)Result of trauma to the skin which causes damage to the underlying blood vessels.Does not cause the skin to breakAmount of discolouration and swelling under the skin will depend upon the size and the number of blood vessels disrupted.

StrainsOccurs when a muscle is exposed to a greater workload than is normally encountered and is stretched beyond its normal limit.It can also occur if a muscle comes under stress before it is has properly warmed up.Can occur within the muscle belly itself, or in the tendon which attaches the muscle to the bone. Severity of the strain can vary from minor discomfort and damage through to a complete rupture of the muscle.

SprainsA sprain occurs at a joint and is normally associated with the stretching of that joint beyond its normal range of movement, often causing the ligaments to stretch and sometimes tear. Some joints also have cartilage pads located in them to provide cushioning. IMPORTANT!If you are unsure whether the injury is a soft tissue injury or a fracture or a dislocation, treat as a fracture or dislocation until proven otherwise. After going through the usual assessment procedures, the management of this group of injuries is similar.

Managing soft tissue injuriesSigns and symptomsPainBruisingSwellingLoss of motionDeformityShock

Management of soft tissue injuries require the application of the RICER principle.

Rest- The injured partIce- An ice pack or cold compress should be applied to the injured site. Do not apply directly to the skin, but wrap in a damp cloth. The ice should be applied for 10 to 20 minutes every 2 hours. Compression-Apply a compression bandage to the injured siteElevation-The injured area should be elevatedReferral- If unsure of the extent of the injury, medical advice should be sought

IF IN DOUBT, GET IT CHECKED OUT

DislocationsInjuries to joints where one bone is displaced from another

Can be caused by direct trauma or abnormal twisting, often resulting in displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint. Joint is pushed past its normal ROM.

Signs and symptoms include: pain, deformity and loss of motion.

Surrounding connective tissue, ligaments and tendons are also damaged.

Urgent medical attention is required if a distal pulse (i.e. one furthest from the heart than the injury site) is unable to be located, or there is altered sensation, such as numbness.

Common sites of dislocations are:

Fingers, shoulder and patella.

Left Shoulder Dislocation Photograph

Right Knee Dislocation Photograph

Left Knee Dislocation Photograph

Can you spot the difference????

Left ankle fracture/dislocation Photograph

Dislocations-treatmentThe following guidelines should be observed when treating a dislocation:

Never attempt to relocate the displaced bone yourself nor let anyone besides a doctor attempt to relocate the bone.

Risk = disrupting blood supply to joint, therefore can lead to necrosis of the limbs. Damage to the nerve supply and increased damage to the surrounding tissue.

Hard Tissue Injuries: FracturesA fracture is a break in a bone. Sometimes the fracture may be a single, clean break or there may be several breaks. Children often suffer a greenstick fracture, which is the splintering of bone.

CAUSES:Direct force-bone is broken at site of impactAbnormal muscle contractionIndirect force-bone breaks some distance from the point of impact.Diseased bone-(causes include osteoporosis and cancer)

Signs and symptoms of fractures include:

Pain at the site of the injuryInability to move the injured part, or unnatural movement of the injured partDeformity of the injured partSwelling and discolourationGrating of bonesTendernessPossible shock

Types of Fractures

Compound Fracture Photographs

Fractures-treatment & managementIf responsive:Conduct a Primary Survey and act accordinglyThe main aim is to prevent any movement at the site of the fracture. If unsure, keep the victim still and comfortable and call an ambulance.Immobilise the joint above and below the fracture site, if possible.If necessary, splint in position of comfort for the victim.(Refer to Lippmann & Natoli (2006), pp 51-52) for splinting and immobilisation technique examples.Do not attempt to realign a badly deformed limbWhere possible, an immobilised fractured limb should be elevated to reduce pain and swelling.Treat for shockSupport a fractured jaw with the hand. If necessary, pull the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.

Note: If in a metropolitan region or one in which is close to medical assistance it may be preferable not to splint the affected site. Leave this to ambulance or paramedical services.

Fractures-treatment & ManagementIf unresponsive:Arrange urgent medical treatmentImmediately place the victim in the recovery positionConduct a Primary Survey and Vital Sign Surveys and act accordingly.

Slings-Full Arm SlingWhen to use: Injuries to the forearm and wrist

How to apply:

-Support the injured forearm approximately parallel to the ground with the wrist slightly higher than the elbow-Place an opened triangular bandage between the body and the arm, with its apex towards the elbow -Extend the upper point of the bandage over the shoulder on the uninjured side -Bring the lower point up over the arm, across the shoulder on the injured side to join the upper point and tie firmly.-Ensure the elbow is secured by folding the excess bandage over the elbow and securing with a safety pin

Slings-Elevation SlingHow to apply:

Support the casualtys arm with the elbow beside the body and the hand extended towards the uninjured shoulder -Place an opened triangular bandage over the forearm and hand, with the apex towards the elbow -Extend the upper point of the bandage over the uninjured shoulder -Tuck the lower part of the bandage under the injured arm, bring it under the elbow and around the back and extend the lower point up to meet the upper point at the shoulder -Tie firmly with a reef knot -Secure the elbow by folding the excess material and applying a safety pin, then ensure that the sling is tucked under the arm giving firm support When to use: Injuries to the shoulder and collar bone

Slings-Collar and Cuff Sling-allow the elbow to hang naturally at the side and place the hand extended towards the shoulder on the uninjured side -using a narrow fold triangular bandage, form a clove hitch by forming two loops one towards you, one away from you -put the loops together by sliding your hands under the loops and closing with a clapping motion. -If you are experienced at forming a clove hitch, then apply a clove hitch directly on the wrist, but take care not to move the injured arm -slide the clove hitch over the hand and gently pull it firmly to secure the wrist -extend the points of the bandage to either side of the neck and tie firmly with a reef knot -allow the arm to hang comfortably. Should further support be required, eg for support to fractured ribs, apply triangular bandages around the body and upper arm to hold the arm firmly against the chest When to use: Injuries to the upper armHow to apply: