A fracture occurs when one of the bones becomes fractured or breaks into several pieces. thing iThis can occur as a result of a sports injury, accident, or act of violence.
Fractures are usually not life threatening, but require immediate medical care and proper initial treatment so that the condition doesn't get worse. Therefore, it is important for us to understand how to provide first aid to fracture victims.
Characteristics of Fractures
A broken bone can be recognized by one or more of the following signs:
- Pain in the injured area and gets worse with movement.
- Numbness in the injured area.
- The injured area may appear bluish, swollen, or deformed.
- Bones appear to penetrate the skin.
- Heavy bleeding at the site of injury.
How to Give First Aid to Fractures
When you provide assistance to a person suspected of having a fracture, do not move or move the person, except to avoid further injury. While waiting for medical help to arrive, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, clean cloth, or clean clothing.
If medical help hasn't arrived and you've had training in how to place a splint or brace (eg straight wood), place the splint in the area above and below the fracture site. Remember, do not try to return or push the protruding bone into its original position.
Here's how to do a splint as first aid for fracture victims:
- Remove clothing that covers the area of the body suspected of having a fracture.
- If it cannot be removed, cut the clothing without moving the broken body part.
- Glue the fracture area with a ruler or stick as a splint.
- If you don't have a roll bandage, you can wrap or bandage the splint with newsprint or a piece of clothing.
After the splint is done, apply ice to the broken area to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Do not apply the ice pack directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel or cloth first.
If the injured person faints or is breathing short and fast, lie down with the head slightly lower than the body. If possible, raise the legs higher than the body. If the injured person is conscious, you can give pain medication, such as paracetamol.
Beware of Life-Threatening Fractures
If you suspect someone has a fracture and he is not breathing, is unconscious, or both, immediately contact the nearest hospital for medical assistance and begin providing assistance by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. You should also contact the medical team immediately if:
Fractures occur in the head, neck, or back
A fracture at this location can cause nerve injury in the spine. To transport an injured victim with a suspected cervical fracture, lay him on his side on a mat with a rigid surface. But remember, the position of the neck should not be bent. The victim's hand should be bandaged at the side and protected from turning the head.
There are broken bones that have penetrated the skin
If the broken part is visible through the skin, immediate medical attention is needed to prevent the wound from becoming infected. The medical team will clean the wound and contaminated tissue (debridement), then wash the wound (lavage).
Injury with heavy bleeding
Heavy bleeding can cause the patient to go into shock to death. If you have a tight splint (tourniquet), you can place it 5-7 cm above the bleeding site in the arm or leg. After that, tighten the bandage until the bleeding stops while waiting for medical help to arrive.
After the medical team arrives, the victim will be immediately taken to the ER so that his condition is stable. When the patient is stable, the doctor will perform X-rays at the suspected fracture location. Doctors can also realign broken bones and position them so they don't cause further damage to the surrounding tissue.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, Sp.B, FINACS(Surgeon)
