Fractures

A Fracture is a crack or break in the bone.

CAUSES OF FRACTURES:

Direct Force: This is a blow to the body that causes the bone to break at the spot the blow was received.  
Indirect Force: This, for example, happens when you fall and land on your hands but a force travels up and breaks your collar bone (Clavicle).
 

TYPES OF FRACTURES:

Open: This is where the bone is broken and the skin is also broken. The bone may be sticking out.
Closed: This is where the bone is broken but the skin is still intact.
Complicated: This can occur when either an open or closed fracture causes further injury e.g. broken bone that cuts a blood vessel or punctures the lung.
 

TREATMENT:

Steady and Support- Try to reduce pain by stopping movement.
Open Fracture- Place a dressing on an open fracture.
Closed Fracture- Place a cold compress on to reduce swelling.
Padding- to prevent limbs grating off each other.
Immobilise- Tie the legs together or put the arm in a sling.
Treat for Shock and send to the Hospital.

TYPE OF JOINTS:

Ball and Socket- shoulder and hip.
Hinge - knee and elbow.
Slightly Moveable- spine and jaw.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Sprain: This is a torn ligament at a joint.

Strain: This is a torn or over stretched muscle.

Voluntary Muscles: Controlled by will e.g. your arm.

Involuntary Muscles: Controlled by central nervous system, e.g. temperature control.

 

Cramp:

It is a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles. To treat it, you should stretch the muscle by straightening it and then massage it.

 

Dislocation:

It is the displacement of a bone at a joint. Treat like a fracture.