FracturesRebekah Fascioli

What is a fracture?

• A fracture is complete or a partially broken bone. Fractures are very common. Children's bones are much more flexible and don’t break easily. Adult bones are much more easily broken as they are more brittle than children's. Fractures occur when a bone can't withstand the physical force exerted on it.

Common types of fractures

• Greenstick: The bone undergoes a slight crack, one side of the shaft breaks the other side just bends, this is mostly common in young children as they are more flexible than adult bones.

• Simple: also known as a closed fracture is when the bone that is fractured is broken has not broken the skin.

Continued

• Compound: commonly known as open fracture, is an open wound that can lead to the fracture, or when the bone has pierced the skin, this fracture has a high risk of infection if not treated

Causes

• Fractures can be caused by- Direct force

The bone is broken at the place of impact.

- Abnormal muscular contractionA strong or sudden muscle contraction

- Indirect forceBreaks in a place far from the area of impact

- Diseased boneA weak bone

Signs

• A sign is evidence of presence of a injury or disease.Signs that relate to a fracture include:– Exposed bone– Deformity – Swelling– Redness

Symptoms

• A symptom is a change in the body that the patient can feel relating to a particular injury.

• Symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of the fracture.• Common symptoms of a fracture include:

– Pain– Bruising– Swelling around the area – Bone deformity– Inability of use– Petruding bone – Numbness

Management

• Conduct a Primary Survey– D- check for danger to yourself, bystanders and the casualty– R- assess the responsiveness from the casualty.– A- check airways and any signs of life.– B- provide breathing– C – chest compressions– D- using an Automated External Defibrillator

• This survey reduces risk of injury to other people, provide a thorough examination of the fracture and other possible injuries.

Continued

• Prevent as little movement at the sight of the fracture.• Call medical assistance if not responsive or the

fracture is serious.• Immobilise the joint near the area of the fracture.• Do not attempt to realign or straighten the deformity

of the limb.• If it is necessary splint the fracture in a way that is

comfortable for the victim. Although this is only recommended if medical service can not be available.

Bibliography

• First Aid, J.Lippmann and D.Natoli, Submariner publication, 2006 Accessed 21/08/08

• Human Anatomy and Physiology, E.N.Marieb, K.Hoehn, Pearson Education 2007 Accessed 21/08/08

• http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/understanding-fractures-basic-information Accessed 01/09/08

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-fractures/FA00058 Accessed 01/09/08

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fractures.html Accessed 25/08/08