Req 8 — Muscle & Bone Injuries
8.
Muscle and Bone Injuries. Do the following:
This page is the short version: know what kind of injury you are looking at, immobilize it, and avoid making it worse.
Compare common injuries
8a.
Explain the similarities and differences in a strain, a muscle tear, a tendon rupture, a sprain, a dislocation, a simple fracture, and a compound fracture.
- Strain: stretched or partly torn muscle or tendon.
- Muscle tear: more serious muscle damage with more pain and loss of use.
- Tendon rupture: complete tendon tear with major loss of function.
- Sprain: stretched or torn ligament at a joint.
- Dislocation: bone forced out of position at a joint.
- Simple fracture: broken bone with skin intact.
- Compound fracture: broken bone with an open wound.
Strains, tears, and tendon ruptures
8b.
Describe the symptoms and signs of and first aid for a muscle strain, a muscle tear, and a tendon rupture.
- Signs: pain, swelling, bruising, weakness, or a sudden pop.
- First aid: rest, ice, compression, elevation, and immobilize if severe.
- Big clue: a tendon rupture often means the limb cannot work normally at all.
Sprains, fractures, and dislocations
8c.
Describe the symptoms and signs of, and potential complications of, a sprain, a fracture, and a dislocation.
- Signs: pain, swelling, deformity, bruising, and trouble using the limb.
- Complications: nerve damage, blood vessel damage, infection in open fractures, or long-term instability.
- First aid: splint in position found and get medical help when needed.
Bandages
8d.
Demonstrate bandages for these injuries:
- Arm slings for forearm or upper arm or collarbone fractures
- Elastic wrap and cravat bandages for ankle sprain
- Elastic wrap and cravat bandages for wrist sprain or hand injury.
- Arm sling: support the arm, knot at the side of the neck, hand slightly elevated.
- Ankle wrap: use a figure-eight pattern and check toe circulation.
- Wrist or hand wrap: secure the injury while leaving fingers visible for circulation checks.
Splinting
8e.
Demonstrate the proper procedures for handling and splinting of suspected closed or open fractures or dislocations of the:
- Finger and toe
- Forearm or wrist
- Upper leg
- Lower leg or ankle.
- General rule: immobilize the joint above and below the injury.
- Finger or toe: buddy tape with padding.
- Forearm or wrist: rigid splint plus sling.
- Upper leg: call 911 and keep movement minimal.
- Lower leg or ankle: pad and splint both sides if possible.