Musculoskeletal Injuries
Fractures & Dislocations
One type of fracture is known as a closed or simple fracture. It is characterized by pain, swelling, contusion, and sometimes deformity. Be sure to evaluate the extremities for loss of pulse, motion, or sensation. Take care to thoroughly immobilize any injury of this type as any shifting of the broken bone ends may cause increased pain and significant damage.
An open or compound fracture occurs when a broken bone end protrudes from the skin, either at the time of the injury, or later through motion or mishandling. This is a more serious injury due to the possibility of patient shock, infection, or additional internal damage. Do not replace the bone end, or attempt to straighten the injury.
A dislocation is an injury to the capsule and ligaments of a joint that results in displacement of the bone end at the joint. It is not an injury to the bone itself, but rather to the ligaments which connect the bones together. If a dislocation is not immobilized immediately, it may allow the ligaments to tear or separate from the bone. A torn or separated ligament will require surgery to repair and often takes several months to heal correctly.
Tendons and ligaments are, in a sense, the glue that holds the body together. Composed of specialized connective tissue, tendons connect muscle to bone while ligaments connect bone to bone. Tendons and ligaments, as well as muscles, can be bruised, crushed, cut, or torn, and are also included in the category of musculoskeletal injuries.
One type of fracture is known as a closed or simple fracture. It is characterized by pain, swelling, contusion, and sometimes deformity. Be sure to evaluate the extremities for loss of pulse, motion, or sensation. Take care to thoroughly immobilize any injury of this type as any shifting of the broken bone ends may cause increased pain and significant damage.
An open or compound fracture occurs when a broken bone end protrudes from the skin, either at the time of the injury, or later through motion or mishandling. This is a more serious injury due to the possibility of patient shock, infection, or additional internal damage. Do not replace the bone end, or attempt to straighten the injury.
A dislocation is an injury to the capsule and ligaments of a joint that results in displacement of the bone end at the joint. It is not an injury to the bone itself, but rather to the ligaments which connect the bones together. If a dislocation is not immobilized immediately, it may allow the ligaments to tear or separate from the bone. A torn or separated ligament will require surgery to repair and often takes several months to heal correctly.
Tendons and ligaments are, in a sense, the glue that holds the body together. Composed of specialized connective tissue, tendons connect muscle to bone while ligaments connect bone to bone. Tendons and ligaments, as well as muscles, can be bruised, crushed, cut, or torn, and are also included in the category of musculoskeletal injuries.
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