Fractures Dislocations

diabetesjain.com

Fractures Dislocations

Home
Patient Education
Organization
Consultations
Diabetes
Hypertension
Lipid disorder
Thyroid
Arthritis
Fever
Weight Reduction
Asthma over view
Jaundice Hepatitis A
Sleep disorders
Cardiac markers
CT MRI Xray
Discounts Lab tests
Free camps
For Patients
For Doctors
Pharma companies
For students
For schools
Life Insurance
Alerts
Visitor page
Donate
About us
Disclaimer
Feed back

Fractures

Fracture Splint / Sling support for arm, forearm fracture

Splint support for finger, wrist, forearm fracture

If a fracture is suspected.

	Check for swelling around the affected area
	There may be discoloration of the skin
	If the victim complains of tenderness and pain in the area or says that he felt or heard a bone snap, see a doctor immediately.

A simple fracture

does not pierce through the skin. If it is not cared for properly, it could become a compound fracture.

What to do for a simple fracture

	Apply a splint
	In case of arm fracture use a large triangular bandage to make a sling to prevent the arm from moving.
	Once a splint has been applied to a fracture, carefully elevate the wounded area to slow blood flow to the wound.
	Contact the doctor.

A compound fracture

	Pierces through the skin.
	Serious bleeding may occur with this kind of wound.
	Do not apply pressure to a compound fracture to stop the bleeding.

What to do for a compound fracture

	Cover the injured part with a sterile pad. Control bleeding by holding a clean cloth on the wound before applying a splint
	Apply a splint to keep the bone from causing further injury to the surrounding tissues
	Pressure should be avoided to prevent the bone from splintering and causing more damage to surrounding tissues.
	Avoid moving the victim, but keep him warm, comfortable, and reassured.
	Wait for medical help.

Dislocations

The most common dislocations occur in the shoulder, elbow, finger, or thumb.

What to look for

Look for these signs.

	Swelling
	Deformed look
	Pain and tenderness
	Possible discoloration of the affected area

If a dislocation is suspected...

	Apply a splint to the joint to keep it from moving.
	Try to keep joint elevated to slow blood flow to the area
	A doctor should be contacted to have the bone set back into its socket.

Take These Precautions Immediately While Waiting For Medical Help

Stop the bleeding.

If there is bleeding, press directly on the wound with a sterile bandage, clean cloth or piece of clothing. If nothing else is available, use your hand. Try to elevate the injured area above the heart to reduce bleeding and swelling. Apply pressure until the bleeding stops.

Immobilize the area.

Keep joints above and below the fracture immobilized, but don't try to set the bone. A splint stabilizes the damaged parts and prevents unwanted movement of the parts that could aggravate tissue damage. Proper splinting may reduce pain. Use any rigid material such as wood, plastic or metal to design a splint. The splint should be longer than the bone it is splinting and extend below and above the injury. Pad the splint with gauze wherever possible. Pads make the splint more comfortable and help keep the bones straight. Fasten the splint to the limb with gauze or strips of cloth or string. Start wrapping from the extremity and work toward the body. Splint the limb firmly to prevent motion but not tight enough to stop blood flow.

To Splint A Lower Arm

Tie rolled magazines or newspapers around a broken lower arm. Wrap a sling over the shoulder and a band around the sling to help keep the elbow still.

To Splint A Lower Leg

	Place the entire leg between two splints. If no splints are available, use the healthy leg as a splint to impede movement of the broken one. If the thighbone is broken, immobilize the hip joint by gently moving the person onto a rigid surface such as a tabletop or door.
	Apply cold. If ice is available, wrap the ice in cloth and apply it to the splinted limb.
	Treat for shock. If the person becomes faint or is breathing in short breaths, he or she may be in shock. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and elevate the legs. CALL for help.

RICE Treatment

RICE = Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate

Treatment of a sprains and strains is often accomplished with the "RICE" method. If you are unsure of the severity of your sprain or strain, talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment or rehab. The following is an explanation of the RICE method of treatment for sprains and strains:

Rest:

The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to be curtailed. Gradually use the injured extremity as much as tolerated, by try to avoid any activities that cause pain. Often using a splint, sling, or crutches is necessary to adequately rest the injured body part.

Ice:

Cold compresses at site of injury

For the first 48 hours post-injury, ice the sprain or strain 20 minutes at a time every 3-4 hours. The ice pack can be a bag of frozen vegetables (peas or corn), allowing you to be able to re-use the bag.

Another popular treatment method is to fill paper cups with water then freeze the cup. Use the frozen cube like an ice cream cone, peeling away paper as the ice melts. Do NOT ice a sprain or strain for more than 20 minutes at a time!! You will not be helping heal the injury any faster, and you can cause damage to the tissues! Learn how to ice an injury here...

Compression:

Use compression when elevating a sprain or strain in early treatment. Using an Ace bandage, wrap the area overlapping the elastic wrap by one-half of the width of the wrap. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the extremity. So, if your fingers or toes become cold, blue, or tingle, re-wrap!

Elevate:

Keep your sprain or strain as best possible--try to get it higher than your heart if possible. Elevate at night by placing pillows under your arm or leg.

Site designed and maintained by JMWDC Medical Web designing for doctors contact