FRACTURES AND SOFT FRACTURES AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIESTISSUE INJURIES

A fracture is a broken or cracked bone.A fracture is a broken or cracked bone.

Types of fractures include:Types of fractures include:Open fracture – Open fracture – is where skin has been broken is where skin has been broken and bone might protrude from the wound. There and bone might protrude from the wound. There will be external blood loss.will be external blood loss.Closed fractures – Closed fractures – This is where the skin has not This is where the skin has not been broken but there might be internal or organ been broken but there might be internal or organ damage/internal bleedingdamage/internal bleedingComplicated fractures – Complicated fractures – This may be open or This may be open or closed with damage to underlying tissues, blood closed with damage to underlying tissues, blood vessels or organs i.e. fractured ribs can pierce the vessels or organs i.e. fractured ribs can pierce the lung.lung.

Management of a fractureManagement of a fracture

1.1. DRABCD and get medical help ASAPDRABCD and get medical help ASAP2.2. Keep casualty stillKeep casualty still3.3. Handle gently.Handle gently.4.4. Immobilise the limb.Immobilise the limb.5.5. Do not place bandages or direct pressure over the fracture Do not place bandages or direct pressure over the fracture

site.site.6.6. Cover wound or control bleeding.Cover wound or control bleeding.7.7. Support the limb or affected areaSupport the limb or affected area8.8. Do not elevate the limb or affected area.Do not elevate the limb or affected area.9.9. Provide reassurance.Provide reassurance.10.10. Assess for and manage shockAssess for and manage shock

DO NOT IMMOBILISE A FRACTURE USING SLING/SPLINTS IF MEDICAL DO NOT IMMOBILISE A FRACTURE USING SLING/SPLINTS IF MEDICAL HELP IS READILY AVAILABLEHELP IS READILY AVAILABLE

IF IT IS AN OPEN FRACTURE, COVER WOUND WITH A LIGHT IF IT IS AN OPEN FRACTURE, COVER WOUND WITH A LIGHT BANDAGE AND IMMOBILISE THE PROTRUDING BONE USING A BANDAGE AND IMMOBILISE THE PROTRUDING BONE USING A RING PAD. DO NOT PLACE PRESSURE ON PROTRUDING BONE.RING PAD. DO NOT PLACE PRESSURE ON PROTRUDING BONE.

HEAD, NECK AND SPINAL HEAD, NECK AND SPINAL FRACTURESFRACTURES

Fractured JawFractured Jaw

1.1. If unconscious, place in recovery position and support If unconscious, place in recovery position and support jaw to keep airway openjaw to keep airway open

2.2. If conscious, ask casualty to support their jaw if possible If conscious, ask casualty to support their jaw if possible and assist them to sit in position of most comfortand assist them to sit in position of most comfort

Management of head, neck and spinal fractures:Management of head, neck and spinal fractures:

1.1. Immobilise the head, neck and spine to prevent any Immobilise the head, neck and spine to prevent any form of movementform of movement

2.2. Closely monitor for signs of life.Closely monitor for signs of life.

FRACTURED SKULLFRACTURED SKULL

Skull fractures can result in bleeding under the scalp, in the Skull fractures can result in bleeding under the scalp, in the brain, and visible bleeding or straw coloured fluid brain, and visible bleeding or straw coloured fluid leaking from the ear and/or nose.leaking from the ear and/or nose.

1.1. Supporting the head, neck and spine, place the casualty Supporting the head, neck and spine, place the casualty in the recovery position with the bleeding side closest in the recovery position with the bleeding side closest to the ground.to the ground.

2.2. Place a pad or clean cloth under the bleeding ear/nose Place a pad or clean cloth under the bleeding ear/nose to collect the draining fluid.to collect the draining fluid.

3.3. Closely monitor for signs of lifeClosely monitor for signs of life

4.4. Control bleed do not apply any direct pressure to the Control bleed do not apply any direct pressure to the skull if you suspect a fracture.skull if you suspect a fracture.

CRUSH INJURYCRUSH INJURY

If the crushing force has been in place for an extended time, If the crushing force has been in place for an extended time, seek urgent medical advice before removing the object.seek urgent medical advice before removing the object.

1.1. DRABC and call 000DRABC and call 000

2.2. If the casualty is unconscious, place him or her in the If the casualty is unconscious, place him or her in the recovery position on their injured side.recovery position on their injured side.

3.3. If the casualty is conscious, position him or her for most If the casualty is conscious, position him or her for most comfort – usually leaning towards the injured side.comfort – usually leaning towards the injured side.

4.4. Assess for and treat any injuries.Assess for and treat any injuries.

5.5. Assess for and manage shock.Assess for and manage shock.

6.6. Provide reassurance.Provide reassurance.

SOFT TISSUE INJURIESSOFT TISSUE INJURIES

Sprains, strains, bruising and dislocations are all examples of soft Sprains, strains, bruising and dislocations are all examples of soft tissue injuries. If in doubt – treat like a fracture.tissue injuries. If in doubt – treat like a fracture.

SPRAIN, STRAIN, BRUSING INJURIESSPRAIN, STRAIN, BRUSING INJURIES DRABCDDRABCD RICERICE

DISLOCATIONDISLOCATION DRABCDDRABCD If in doubt, manage as a fractureIf in doubt, manage as a fracture DO NOT attempt to move bones back into placeDO NOT attempt to move bones back into place Support in position foundSupport in position found Get medical helpGet medical help