Bone fractures are one of the most painful injuries that, if not treated properly, can cause many complications. What is the first aid for fractures and what are the most important symptoms and types of bone fractures?
What does a broken bone mean and when does it happen
Bone fractures are among the most common injuries that can result from accidents, sports injuries, or violent trauma. First aid for fractures helps not to aggravate the injury and speed up healing; Therefore, it is necessary to know the correct way of how to deal with fractures if they occur.
Bone fractures are a medical emergency that occurs when the bones are subjected to too much pressure that they cannot handle. Which leads to it being broken. First aid for fractures is one of the most important steps in treatment. Moving the affected bone may cause increased pain and bleeding, and it may also damage the tissues in the fracture area.
Bone fractures result from traffic accidents, falls, or bone stress, such as fractures in athletes. Fractures may also result from some diseases that cause weak bones, such as osteoporosis and some types of cancer, and in this case they are called pathological fractures.
Symptoms of bone fractures
Symptoms of bone fractures vary according to several factors, the most important of which are:
Affected area.
Bones that have been fractured.
The severity of the injury.
Fracture type.
The age and health of the injured person.
The most common symptom of bone fractures
Severe pain in the affected area that increases with trying to move it.
Exophthalmos through the skin.
Heavy bleeding at the site of the injury.
Change in the color of the skin around the site of the injury.
Swelling and bruising.
Numbness and tingling in the affected area.
Abnormal curvature of the affected area.
Fracturing a large bone such as the thigh bone or pelvis may cause nausea, paleness of the skin, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
Types of bone fractures
In order to know the correct steps to follow during first aid for a fracture, the type of fracture should be determined. Bone fractures are divided into several types, which may be simple or compound, and the fracture may be complete or incomplete.
Simple or closed fracture: It is a broken bone that is not accompanied by a laceration of the skin, and there is no wound.
Complex or open fracture: It is a fracture that causes a break in the skin and a wound. Open bone fractures are more dangerous than simple fractures.
Complete fracture: This refers to the complete split of the bone into two separate parts.
Incomplete fracture: Cracks occur only in the bone without breaking into pieces.
The most important first aid steps for fractures
Dealing with fractures is not difficult, the most important thing that you can do while treating fractures is not to move the victim. This may cause severe pain and worsen the injury.
How to help orthopedic injuries
Before embarking on first aid for a fracture, you should first reassure the casualty, help him relax and stay calm. Then do the following steps:
Call for an ambulance or medical help.
Examine the patient quickly for signs of deformity, serious injury, swelling or bleeding. Also, make sure that the victim is unable to move the affected part.
If the person is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a sterile pad or a clean piece of clothing or cloth to stop the bleeding.
When fixing and supporting the injured area, if the fracture occurred in the bones of the neck or back, help the patient to remain as still as possible until the ambulance arrives, but if the fracture occurred in one of the limbs, use a splint or a bra for fixation.
Use cold compresses on the affected area by covering a bag of ice or ice cubes with a piece of cloth and placing it on the affected area for 10 minutes. Do not apply cold compresses directly to the skin or to an open wound.
Try to elevate the injured part if possible, but avoid it if it causes pain to the patient.
If the victim loses consciousness or is no longer breathing normally, start CPR and seek immediate medical attention.
When should first aid be provided for fractures
If you are facing a case that someone has a fracture, or when one of the symptoms of a bone fracture appears, do not hesitate to provide first aid to the fracture immediately to help the injured in treatment and avoid the aggravation of the injury.
Cast care
Splints are used to treat fractures, and its idea is based on the same first aid method for fractures, as they help stabilize the bones, speed healing and reduce pain resulting from movement. Therefore, it must be taken care of by:
Putting the cast on pillows to raise it above the level of the heart for a period of 24 to 48 hours from the beginning of the injury; To reduce swelling.
Use ice packs on the swollen area, while avoiding the use of ice directly on the skin.
Take painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce pain.
Keep the cast dry and clean.
First aid for fractures in cases of children
Bone fractures are among the most common injuries in children, and they require medical care no matter how small they appear.
Symptoms of bone fractures in children
Lumpiness, bruising, or pain after a fall.
Hear a crackling or grinding noise while falling.
Pain and difficulty moving the affected part.
First aid for fracture in children
Seek medical help.
Remove clothing from the affected area.
Use an ice pack covered with a piece of cloth
When dealing with fractures, keep the affected limb where it is.
Place a simple splint on the fractured area to keep it in place until you reach the doctor. A temporary splint can be made using a board, cardboard, or folded newspaper and wrapping it with a bandage or elastic band.
Bone fractures cannot be completely prevented, but regular medical examinations help prevent pathological fractures that occur as a result of weak bones. Providing correct first aid to fractures also helps prevent complications and speed up bone healing.