hard tissue injuries + totaps

classifications of fractures

simple/closed
open/compound
complicated

simple/closed fracture

Remains inside the body and does not pierce the skin

open/compound

• Break that does pierce the skin so that the bone can be seen

• more than one issue that needs to be addressed (bleeding, open wound etc)

complicated fracture

• Bones cause further damage to major nerves, organs or blood vessels

• can be life threatening and require immediate medical attention

Types of fractures

• complete

• comminuted

• incomplete

signs and symptoms of fractures

• hearing or feeling a break

• hearing or feeling a grating of bone

• loss of function

• deformity

• bone protruding from skin (open fracture)

management of fractures

Main aims:

• Immobilise area

  Reduce pain

  Prevent further damage

  Reduce bleeding and shock

Requires first aider to:

• DRSABCD

  control bleeding

  cover wounds

  check for other injuries

  immobilise fracture

  seek medical attention (scans)

dislocation

Abnormal separation in a joint between 2 bones

• Can strained muscles and sprain ligaments

• Often caused by excessive force

• Common are in fingers and ball and socket joints (e.g. shoulder or hip)

signs and symptoms of dislocations

• Pain at joint

• Tenderness, swelling and bruising around the joint

• Deformity of joint

• Inability to move joint properly

Management of dislocation

• DRSABCD

• Do not move joint

• Check for circulation past the joint

• Support the area

• Apply ice packs

TOTAPS

Talk
Observe
Touch
Active movement
Passive movement
Skills

NO HARM

No: Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage