PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES + FIRST AID ; FRACTURES Part 1 (11)

Hi everyone,
Today's lesson is to help us to understand and manage the various forms of fractures.

FRACTURE

Fracture is a crack or broken bone. Bones protect the internal organs as well as providing the body with nutrients such as calcium. This simply means when fracture casualty is not managed well, all the vital organs within the body would be in danger and by extension death of the victim.

CAUSES OF FRACTURE

Bone being the hardest tissue in the body can not withstand stress or be forced beyond its strength. Therefore if force is applied to the bone, it can cause a fracture. This force can either be direct or indirect.

Direct Force

When the fracture occurs at the spot where the action is applied. e.g. A car running over someone's leg and the bones in the leg getting broken.

Indirect Force

When the fracture occurred away from the spot where the action was applied or a distance away from the site of injury.

TYPES OF FRACTURE

There are two main types of fractures

Simple fracture
Compound Fracture

Simple Fracture

This occurs when the bone breaks and stays within the flesh or body.

Source

Compound/ Open

This occurs when the bone breaks and the ends pierce through the skin. In this case, a wound created may permit infection if care is not taken.

Source

NB; I have in previous posts taught you how to manage wounds to prevent infection.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FRACTURE

Pain and tenderness at the site
Swelling, burger of muscles or effusion of blood
Deformity of the affected part
Crepitus ( cracking sound of the bone )
Unnatural movements
Loss of power in the limb
Discoloration
Broken bone

MANAGEMENT OF FRACTURE

The main aim in managing fracture is to keep the fractured bone in position or immobilize it for a period of time to heal by itself.
NB; You must ensure that both the upper and the lower joints of the fractured part are immobilized and inline
Splint the affected part by using a rigid material ( Wood, folded paper, or cards ) to keep the bone in correct alignment and to prevent further damage to the muscles
Paddling the splints prevents damage or pressing down on any blood vessel or nerve
Bandages are required to keep the splints in position.

Source
Medicinal (drug)
Give appropriate calcium supplements to the patient. The most common forms are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Encourage the intake of fresh calcium-based fruits and fish.
Antibiotics are required to control any infections that may arise.

Thank you for following through with today's session. I hope you have learned a lot.
The next lesson will be on Knowledge and management of DISLOCATIONS

THANK YOU.