A variety of mechanisms cause fractures to the bones. Falls, car crashes, and even twisting forces can cause a break. According to Emergency Care, a fracture is any break in the bone, and can be open (bone ends through the skin) or closed (no break in the skin). It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a fracture, treat it accordingly, and seek medical attention immediately.
Mechanism of Injury
The suspicion of a fracture can be determined by identifying the mechanism of injury. According to EMS1, the mechanism of injury is the sequence of events that cause injury to the body. For example, if you fall from a tree or get hit by a car, the forces of energy will travel through your body, causing damage. That damage can include internal organ injuries and fractured bones. In contrast, if a young male steps off a curb and suddenly hears a snap, the forces involved are more suggestive of a sprain than a fracture.
Check for Pain/Deformity
If the skin is not broken, check for pain and/or deformities. Pain is usually the first signal your body will give you when it has been damaged. At times, pain is the only sign that a closed fracture has occurred, so the worst must be considered. Deformity of the injured area is also a suspicious sign that a fracture has occurred. When in doubt, compare the injured area with the opposite side of the body checking for symmetry.
If the skin is broken, the fracture is obvious and is considered to be an 'open' fracture. Open fractures are dangerous because the bone has not only experienced damage, but the threat exists for the sharp bone ends to tear through delicate tissue, nerves and blood vessels, and the potential exists for infection.
Stabilize the Injury
The goal in stabilizing the injury is to prevent movement until you can seek medical attention. Any additional movement after the fracture occurs can increase pain, damage tissue, and cause severe blood loss. The potential also exists for a blood clot, bone fragments, or small pieces of fat to enter the bloodstream and cause lethal complications, the 2007 textbook "Essentials of Paramedic Care" notes.
Use a device medically designed for splinting, or you can use any material that will create a rigid brace. For example, a folded magazine would work well to splint a fractured forearm. A plank of wood, a cardboard box, or a tree branch could also used for an arm or a leg. Secure the extremity to the splint above and below the fracture with rope, a belt, or some other strong strap-like material. Be sure to leave the injured area in the position found. Manipulating it will cause further damage.
References
- "Emergency Care"; Daniel Limmer, Michael O'Keefe; 2005
- EMS1: Mechanism of Injury in Prehospital Trauma Triage
- "Trauma Management: An Emergency Medicine Approach"; Peter Ferrera, MD, Stephen Colucciello, MD, John Marx, MD, Vincent Verdile, MD, Michael Gibbs, MD; 2001
- "Essentials of Paramedic Care"; Bryan Bledsoe, DO, Robert Porter, Richard Cherry; 2007
