The human body is both durable and vulnerable. It proves remarkably durable in the ordinary circumstances of day-to-day life. In extraordinary circumstances, however, the body remains vulnerable to traumatic injury. Falls, accidents, violence and recreational pursuits can lead to traumatic bodily injury. Common examples of the many types of wounds and injuries the body may sustain include lacerations, penetrating trauma and bone fractures.
Lacerations
Lacerations are injuries caused by cuts to the skin, which may also involve underlying structures. In "Common Simple Emergencies" published electronically by Emergency Medicine on the Web, Drs. Philip Buttaravoli and Thomas Stair note that the closure of simple skin lacerations with adhesive strips, surgical staples, stitches or tissue adhesive promotes healing and reduces the risk for infection. Deep lacerations that sever blood vessels, muscles, tendons or ligaments typically require surgical repair. Arterial lacerations prove particularly urgent due to the risk of rapid blood loss and circulatory collapse.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating injuries involve the forceful entry of objects deep into the body tissues. Gunshot wounds are a common form of penetrating injury. Other projectiles can also penetrate the body during a motor vehicle or work-related accident. While any part of the body can be involved in penetrating trauma, the chest and abdomen remain frequent sites of these injuries due to the large surface area and intentional targeting. The nature and extent of injury varies depending on the site of entry, and the size, shape and speed of the penetrating object. Information provided by Trauma.org states that most penetrating injuries of the chest and abdomen require surgical exploration to determine the extent of the injury and make necessary repairs.
Traumatic Bone Fractures
Traumatic bone fractures are a common injury. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the United States--many of which result in bone fractures. Common sites of traumatic bone fractures include the arms, legs, hips, ribs and skull. Bone fractures vary in severity. With closed fractures, the skin remains intact. Compound fractures involve bone penetration of the skin, which poses a risk for infection. A simple crack in the bone typically causes a non-displaced fracture, with the two pieces of bone still in alignment. Displaced fractures involve breaks wherein the bone pieces no longer align. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that treatment of simple, non-displaced fractures usually involves casting or splinting to keep the bones aligned and promote healing. Compound, displaced fractures often require surgery to place pins or screws to hold the bones in place, clean the wound and repair other soft tissue injuries that may have occurred.
References
- Emergency Medicine on the Web: Simple Laceration
- Trauma.org: Penetrating Abdominal Trauma, Guidelines for Evaluation
- Trauma.org: Chest Trauma Initial Evaluation
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Fractures, An Overview
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Estimates of the 10 Leading Causes of Nonfatal Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments, United States, 2007
