Fracture and dislocation: A fracture occurs when the bone is broken. It requires medical care. If a person sustains severe injuries or trauma with broken bones, then call your local emergency number. Also, seek immediate emergency medical care if the joint or the limb appears deformed with severe pain.
A ‘closed’ fracture occurs when the person’s skin is unbroken and there is no cut.
An ‘open’ fracture occurs when a person’s bone cuts through their skin.
Dislocations occur when bones are pulled out of their proper place or joints.
What to look for?
Pain: The wounded region hurts.
Swelling or bruising are lumps or bumps surrounding the wounded region.
Deformity: The wounded region appears crooked or different in shape than the uninjured portion on the opposite side.
Difficulty moving: The person is unable to move the affected body part normally.
A wound: The person’s bone might have broken through the skin.
Pins and needles: The sufferer may experience prickling or numbness of the skin.
Grating: The sufferer may feel as if their bones are scraping against one another.
A shattering sound: The individual may have heard or felt the bone snap.
In case of a bone fracture and dislocation, don’t move the affected person – otherwise, the person may suffer further injury.
How Can You Help with Fractures?
Fractured thigh
The thigh is the portion of your leg above the knee.
The thighbone (femur) is a big bone with the potential for catastrophic fracture.
If you encounter a thigh fracture, call an emergency service or an ambulance right away immediately.
Fractured face or jaw
If there is a cut, apply pressure to the lesion with a clean towel to stop the bleeding. (Do not push on the injury.)
If the person is cognizant, allow them to relax in a position that is comfortable for them.
If the individual is unconscious but breathing regularly, place them on their side with their chin inclined up and mouth facing the ground (the recovery position).
A fractured arm, wrist, or collarbone
If there is a cut, apply pressure to the lesion with a clean towel to stop the bleeding. (Don’t press on the injury.)
Place the person in a posture that is comfortable for them and hold them still.
Use a cushion or folded cloth to support the individual’s arm.
Create a sling to support their arm.
Fractured ribs
Place the person in a posture that is comfortable for them and hold them still.
Arrange for the individual to visit a hospital or a doctor as soon as possible.
Fractured ankle
It is difficult to determine whether an ankle is broken or twisted. If you’re unsure, try the following (R.I.C.E):
REST: make the individual comfortable and let him or her remain still.
ICE: Apply ice wrapped in a towel or something extremely cold to the ankle (to minimize edema).
COMPRESSION: Wrap the ankle with a clean elastic bandage that is not too tight.
ELEVATION: prop the ankle up with a cushion or folded garments below.
How Can You Help: Dislocations
Put ice or cold compresses around the dislocated joint to reduce swelling and build-up of fluid around the injured joint.
Don’t move the dislocated joint and don’t try to put it back in its normal position. If you try to force the dislocated portion back into place, it will damage soft tissues – blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, and muscles surrounding the joint.
Dislocated shoulder
Keep the person motionless and comfortable.
Wrap a large amount of soft material (bandage or fabric) around their hand or fingers.
Make a sling to support their hand, but take care not to contact their hand or fingers when tying the knot.
For toes, lie the sufferer down and place a cushion or folded cloth beneath their feet. Apply ice wrapped in a towel or something very cold to their toes (to reduce edema).
