kinematics of trauma

What is a collision?

Any impact between the body and an object

-consider the mechanism and forces involved in collision

What is blunt trauma?

Injury from forceful impact

-eg fall

What are the types of blunt trauma?

-compression injury

-shearing injury

what is a compression injury?

Damage from forces that crush body parts together

-crushed cells

-vessel damage

-internal injury

What is shearing injury?

Occurs when different body parts or tissues move in opposite directions or different speeds, causing tearing

What is meant by the mechanical principles of blunt trauma?

What the severity and pattern of blunt trauma depends on

What are the mechanical principles of blunt trauma?

-direction of impact

-energy absorbed around the patient

-parts of the body absorbing the impact

-use of protective equipment

-acceleration, deceleration, compression

-velocity at impact

What are some common kinds of collisions in cars?

-up and over

-down and under

-Roll overs

-lateral impact

What are some injuries associated with up and over MVCs?

-chest and abdomen impact

-compression of organs

-shearing injuries

What are some injuries associated with down and under MVCs?

-pelvic fractures

-pelvic bleeding

-lower extremity fractures

-lower body compression

What are the four main mechanisms of roll overs?

-roof intrusion

-impact from or into items

-partial ejection

-complete ejection

What should you consider if a pt has a humeral fracture as a result of a lateral impact MVC?

-rib fractures

What are the phases of blast injury?

• Primary phase

• Secondary phase

• Tertiary phase

• Quaternary phase

• Quincey phase

what is the primary phase?

• Caused by blast wave

• Injuries such as blast lung, eardrum rupture, organ rupture, TBI

• Affects air filled structures

What is the secondary phase?

• Penetrating injury from fragmentation associated with blast

what is the tertiary phase?

• Blast wind throwing the patient causing blunt traumatic injury

What is the quaternary phase?

• Heat and fumes leading to inhalation injury and flesh burns

What is the quinary phase?

• Radiological particles, bacteria, human remains in bombs

• Designed to cause max harm and destruction