First Aid Procedures for Treating Fractures and Breaks

First aid for fractures and breaks:

A fracture is any break in the continuity of a bone. Fractures can cause total disability and in some rare cases death. Most fractures and breaks can be treated successfully so there is complete recovery. A great deal also depends upon the first aid treatment the individual receives before he is moved. This includes immobilizing the fractured part in addition to applying other lifesaving measures.

There are two kinds of fractures:

1. Closed fractures: The closed fractures are broken bones which do not break the overlying skin. Tissue beneath the skin may be damaged. A dislocation is when a joint, such as a knee, ankle, or shoulder, is not in the proper position. Sprain is when the connecting tissues of the joints have been torn.

2. Open fractures: Open fractures are broken bones that break the overlying skin. The broken bone may come through the skin, or a missile such as a bullet or shell fragment may go through the flesh and break the bone. An open fracture is usually contaminated and subject to infection.

Symptoms of fractures:

Indications of a fracture are deformity, tenderness, swelling, pain and inability to move the injured part, or discolored skin at the injury site. A sharp pain when the individual attempts to move is also a sign of a fracture. You should not move the casualty in order to treat a fracture since such movement could cause further damage to surrounding tissues and promote shock. If you are not sure whether a bone is fractured; treat the injury as a fracture.

Immobilizing fractures:

A fracture is immobilized to prevent the sharp edges of the bone from moving and cutting tissue, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves. It reduces pain and helps prevent or control shock. In a closed fracture immobilization keeps bone fragments from causing an open wound and prevents contamination and possible infection.

Shoulder fracture:

You should direct all bandaging support to the top of the casualty's head, not to the back of his neck. If incorrectly placed, the bandage will pull the casualty's jaw back and interfere with his breathing.

Casualties with lower jaw (mandible) fractures cannot be laid flat on their backs because facial muscles will relax and may cause an airway obstruction.

Also read our article about First Aid for Cuts