soft tissue injuries - SALA

what is an open injury

break in the surface of the skin or the mucous membrane, exposing deeper tissue

what is a closed injury

soft-tissue damage occurs beneath skin or mucous membrane, but the surface of the skin remains intact

what are the two factors that affect open and closed injuries

the amount of surface area over which an injury occurs, and how hard the body is struck

what is a blunt injury

force spread over larger skin area, skin is not penetrated

what is a penetrating injuryt

force applied over small area, penetrates skin and underlying tissues

how to treat an amputation

TQ w/ date + time

bandage stump w/ a wet sterile dressing using saline

apply dry sterile dressing

Bring amputated part to hospital

how to treat avulsions

irrigate injury with sterile water

clean skin with saline

replace skin

if unable to replace, cover with wet gauze

wrap with dry sterile dressing

treat for shock

what is cavitation in regards to penetrating wounds

the displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, creating both temporary and permanent cavity

what is a temporary cavity

the stretching of tissues that occurs AT the time of impact

what is a permanent cavity

left after temporary cavity collapses and is the visible part of the tissue destruction

what is epistaxis, how to treat

nosebleed, pinch nostrils shut, have PT lean forward, consider icepack

what is a contusion?

a bruise, bleeding underneath the skin

what is a ecchymosis

skin discoloration caused by BUILDUP of blood —> bruise turning green and yellow (FLAT AND TENDER)

what is a hematoma

blood that has collected and pooled within damaged tissue

what is a sprain

stretch or tear of ligaments

what is a strain

injury to muscle or tendon

what are your treatments for closed soft tissue injuries?

RICES

rest, ice, compression, elevation, splinting

what is compartment syndrome?

limb threatening condition in which blood supply to an extremity is compromised by increased pressure within that limb

what are the 6 P’s

pain, paresthesia, pallor, poikilothermia, paralysis, pulselessness

what is crush syndrome

area of body is trapped for longer than 4 hours