First Aid

Chapter 10 & 11
Bone, Joint and Muscle
Injuries
Splinting the Extremities
Fractures
Fracture and
broken bone are
the same.
2 categories of fx:
Closed : Simple
Open: Compound
Fractures
Closed :
Simple
Skin is intact.
No wound
near the
fracture
Fractures
Open:
Compound
Skin is damaged
or broken.
Bone may
protrude through
skin
Fractures: What to Look For

May be difficult to
tell if bone is
fractured
When in doubt, tx
as fx
Use DOTS
Fractures: DOTS
Deformity Not always obvious.
Compare
Open wound

Tenderness

Swelling
Fractures: Additional S&S

Loss of Use May or may not

occur

Grating Can be felt or heard

Sensation when ends of bones rub
together

Hx of injury Victim may have heard or

felt bone snap
Fractures: What To Do

Check and treat

ABCs
Tx for shock
Gently remove
clothing covering
injured site
LAF
Fractures: What To Do

LAF:
Look Look at injured site.
Swelling? Brusiing?
Damaged skin?
And

Gently press, feel for

Feel deformity, tenderness
Fractures: What To Do
Check circulation,
nerves:
Arm: Radial pulse
Leg: Post tib pulse
Sensation: squeeze fingers,
toes
Movement: Wiggle fingers,
toes
Fractures: What To Do

RICE
Rest Injuries heal faster with rest.
Ice For 20 - 30 minutes q 2 - 3 hours
for first 24 - 48 hours
Compress With Ace bandage.
Wrap toward the heart

Elevate After stabilized

RICE: Do Not

Apply ice for

more than 20-
30 minutes at a
time
Apply heat until
after 48 - 72
hours.
Fractures: What To Do
Stabilize with splint
Stabilize: limit
movement
 Reduces pain
 Prevents damage to
muscles,nerves
and blood vessels
 Reduces bleeding
and swelling
Types of Splints
Improvised
Folded newspaper,
piece of wood,
another body part

Commercially
prepared
Splints
Stabilize before
moving
Splint in position
found
Cover wounds
before applying
splint
Splints
Check pulses, if
no pulse: try to
straighten
extremity to
restore blood
flow.

Stabilize above
and below injury
Splints
Use cravats if
possible
Tie firmly but not too
tight
Check pulse after
each cravat is tied
Leave fingers or
toes exposed
Splints
RICE after splint
is applied
SMA
immediately if
no pulse in
injured
extremity
Joint Injuries: Dislocation

Joint comes
apart.
Bone ends no
longer in
contact
S&S similar to
fx
Joint Injuries: Dislocation

What To Do:
Check circulation,
sensation,
movement
RICE
Splint
Do not try to reduce
SMA for reduction
Joint Injuries: Sprain

Injury to joint
ligaments
Violent
stretching or
twisting
SS similar to What to Do:
fx
RICE
Muscle Injuries: Strain

Muscle pull
Muscle
stretched
beyond
normal
ROM
Muscle Injuries: Strain
Sharp pain
Tenderness
Indentation or bump
that can be felt or
seen What to
Weakness or loss of
function of injured part Do:
Stiffness and pain with
movement RICE
Contusions
Bruises
Swelling,
Pain
Tenderness
Black and What to Do:
blue marks
RICE
Cramps
Muscle in
uncontrolled
spasm.
Severe pain
Cramps: What To Do
Have victim gently stretch
muscle or
Relax muscle by applying
pressure to it or
Apply Ice or
Pinch upper lip hard (accu-
pressure) or
Drink commercial sports drink
Cramps: Do Not
Give salt tablets
Massage or rub
affected muscle
(causes more
pain and does
not relieve
cramping)
Blood Under Nail
Painful Relieve Pressure:
Ice Use paper clip
Heat with lighter
Elevate Press against nail
Relieve pressure until it melts thru
Very little pressure
Apply dressing to
is needed
absorb blood and
protect nail
Ring Strangulation
Lubricate finger with grease, oil,
butter
Immerse finger in cold water or
apply ice
Wind thread around finger toward
ring
Have ring cut off
Insert finger into partially blown up
balloon for about 15 minutes
Learning Activities 10
Fractures

1. For a suspected fx, check

blood flow and nerves.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Fractures

2. Apply cold on a suspected

fx.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Fractures

3. A splint can stabilize a fx.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Scenerio: falls off 10 foot ladder. Pain in left
leg. Find deformity, tenderness,
swelling. What to do?

Check and tx ABCs

Tx for shock
Check blood flow and nerves
Splint, RICE
Learning Activities 10
Dislocation and Sprains

1. RICE represents tx for

sprains and
dislocations.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Dislocation and Sprains

2. Place ice directly on

skin.

No
Learning Activities 10
Dislocation and Sprains

3. Appling heat too soon

to an injury is a
common mistake.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Dislocation and Sprains

4. An ACE bandage, when

used correctly can help
control swelling.

Yes
Learning Activities 10
Scenario: Limping and in pain.
Twisted ankle. What to do?

RICE
Learning Activities 10
Muscle Injuries

1. Give salt tablets for cramps.

No
Learning Activities 10
Muscle Injuries

2. Apply heat initially to

muscle injury.

No
Learning Activities 10
Muscle Injuries

3. An elastic bandage, if used

correctly, can help limit
swelling.

Yes
Learning Activities 10

Scenario: Bat hits player on

thigh. Tenderness and swelling.
What to do?

RICE
First Aid Kits
Item Quantity
Cravats 3
Ace bandage 1
Paper clip 1
String 1
(dental floss or thread)