It is not necessary to be carrying out any dangerous activity for an accident to occur. Actually, these are situations to which we are all exposed in one way or another. They can occur while we do our daily tasks, such as cooking or cleaning. But also, they can arise suddenly, while sleeping or taking a shower. In such a case, something that will help us is to know what to do in each situation. Being aware of how we should act will make our response faster, prevent us from becoming paralyzed or panicked, and we will be able to efficiently assist the injured person until professional medical help arrives. In general, it is more common to know what to do in case of burns, fever, choking or cuts. However, have you ever wondered what you should do in the event of a fracture? You probably hadn’t considered the situation until now. But the truth is that it is something very real and more common than we can think. It is common knowledge that a fracture is nothing more than a broken bone. However, depending on the area in which it occurs, it can be more complex, dangerous and painful than others. Experts in the field have recommended that, in such circumstances, the first thing to do is to immobilize the fractured area. But how can you do it? What should you take into consideration? What is the procedure? If you like the subject of health or if you simply want to be prepared for when the situation arises, you cannot stop reading this article. In it you will find the answer to the question that titles it, but you will also learn what you should not do in those moments of emergency. So, without further ado, let’s begin our medical training as it relates to immobilization of a fractured limb. Let’s see it right now.
Instructions for immobilizing a fracture
A fracture is the breaking of a bone as a result of falls, blows, application of force, etc. Some of its symptoms are:
pain, inflammation, redness, inability to perform normal functions, clicking or cracking when there is movement, deformity of the affected area, bleeding, shock, among others.
The closed: these occur when the bone breaks, but the skin is not affected. The open ones: these are the wounds that communicate the bone with the outside. In this case, the skin is affected, and some bone fragments may stick out through the opening. These fractures are among the most dangerous, since they expose the affected person to infections and hemorrhages. The aligned: in this case, the bony parts have not been displaced. The displaced ones: as its name indicates, the bony parts have been deviated as a consequence of the muscular tensions.
Now, what is the way to immobilize it? Consider the following steps:
The best way to immobilize a fracture is by splinting it. To do this, place a branch, stick, piece of stiff cardboard, rolled up newspaper, or some other similar sturdy object around the injury, i.e., below and to the sides, to support the bone. Secure and hold each of the supports together with a ribbon, string, shoelaces, cable, belt, or some other similar object that you have within your reach. Leave some space for nearby joints to move freely and for proper circulation to the area. If help is on the way, perhaps it is best not to do the splinting as it could have the opposite effect and impair prompt medical attention. This is the usual procedure for fractures. However, these are very general ideas. Therefore, you need to know what to do in specific situations. Let’s see how.
What do you need to immobilize a fracture?
To immobilize the fracture in:
The hip and femur: To immobilize the hip, place the person on their back with the legs in line. Then, place two padded splints in parallel, one on the inside of the injured person and one on the outside. That way you will be able to immobilize from the armpit to the heel of the foot. Use pads to protect the chain, groin, knees and ankle. Finally, make 8 different ties. One should go on the ankles, another 5 along the leg and two on the trunk, making sure that the knots are on the splint that is on the outside. The tibia and fibula: To do this, place two splints, one on the inside of the leg and one on the outside. Do it very carefully to be able to cover from the heel to the hip. At the end, make 4 ties along the affected limb and another one around the ankle. The ankle: in this case, try to protect the affected part with a clean blanket, which has the appropriate size, which you must position in a U shape along the foot, ankle and calf. Then attach as many ties as necessary to hold the blanket in place. The finger: the easiest way to do this is to tie the affected finger to its healthy neighbor with the help of cloth or some other adhesive. The shoulder: for this, you must use a sling. Then, use a bandage to place it crosswise over the central part of the chest. By doing this you will be able to limit the movement of the upper limb. The arm: the correct way to do it is by placing two splints, one on the inside and one on the outside of the arm, ensuring that they go from the armpit to the elbow. Then, you should wrap bandages around the arm around the fracture. Then, you must place the forearm in a sling, taking care that the palm of the hand is inward, as this will allow you to fix the arm to the torso. The hand: as painful as it may be, the fingers should be semi-flexed. So, he puts on a splint that goes from the elbow to the fingers. Then, with the help of a bandage, you need to fix the hand to the forearm and allow it to rest on a sling. To perform this type of immobilization you will need to have certain materials on hand, such as bandages, splints and a sling. A splint is a rigid element, which is used to immobilize an affected limb. But if you don’t have one, you can improvise using wood, magazines, etc. The sling fulfills the function of supporting the injured part. Hence it is important to use it. But, what other recommendations should you take into account when dealing with fractures?
Tips for Immobilizing a Fracture
In a situation of fracture it is important that you remain calm and that you try to look for signs of shock in the person. For example: dizziness, fainting, pale skin, breaking out in a cold sweat, rapid breathing and heart rate, confusion, etc. If you notice signs of shock in the person, it is best to place them with their legs up and their head on a support, while keeping them covered with a blanket. After you’ve immobilized the fractured part, place ice on the wound until medical help arrives. The cold helps numb the affected area so you don’t feel pain. Also, it reduces inflammation and bleeding. However, you should not apply it directly on the skin, wrap it in a thin cloth to avoid cold burns. If the wait is too long, give some medicine to relieve the pain. However, the most recommended is Tylenol, as it prevents increased bleeding. From time to time, you should check the splint to make sure it is not too tight and that it does not affect circulation. If you notice that the part has taken on a pale or swollen appearance, it may be time to loosen the ties a bit.