Fracture

1. Definition of "fracture."

1. It is the disruption of normal bone continuity.

2. Surrounding soft-tissue injury also occur.

3. Fractures can by caused by trauma or disease.

2. Common types of fractures.

1. Open (a break in the skin over a fracture).

2. Closed ( skin is intact over the fracture).

3. Complete (fracture extends through entire bone).

4. Incomplete (fracture extends only part way through the bone).

5. Impacted (one bone fragment is forcibly driven into another bone fragment).

6. Comminuted (bone is broken in several places).

7. Displaced (bone fragments are separated at the fracture line).

8. Complicated (body organ or other body tissues are injured at time of fracture).

3. Signs and symptoms of fractures.

1. Deformity.

2. Pain.

3. Loss of function.

4. Swelling.

5. Bruising.

6. Muscle spasm.

4. First aid techniques to a fracture victim.

1. Move victim no more than absolutely necessary to prevent further tissue damage.

2. Assess client's total condition.

3. Remove constricting clothing or jewelry.

4. Cover open wounds with sterile dressing before splinting.

5. Splint injured site before moving to immobilize the joints above and below the fracture.

6. Apply well-padded splints and bandage splints over clothing.

5. Possible medical treatments for fractures.

1. Close reduction (manual realignment of bones to previous position).

2. Open reduction (correction of bone alignment through surgery).

3. Traction (proper alignment of bone through a pulling force).

6. Possible complications of fractures.

1. Infection.

2. Peripheral nerve damage.

3. Fat embolism (small blood vessels may be occluded to brain, lungs, kidneys, etc.).

4. Shock (rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, cool, clammy skin).

5. Compartment syndrome (definition: edema causing a lack of blood flow to the area, entrapment of nerve or vessel).  S/S are severe pain or swelling. Medical emergency.  Must be treated quickly or permanent damage will result, up to loss of limb.

6. Venous thrombus.