First aid for a fractured limb involves keeping the victim in a lying position and immobilization. If the leg is injured, it is freed from clothes and shoes, a splint is applied, and the area is fixed in a stationary state. If there is an open wound, be sure to treat it with an antiseptic and apply a clean bandage over the injury. Severe pain is relieved with painkillers.

The upper limbs are fixed with a bandage. If the shoulder joint is damaged, two splints are applied on both sides of the shoulder. To prevent the development of a hematoma, cold is applied to the affected area. In case of an open fracture, it is necessary to stop the bleeding using a tourniquet. The wound is bandaged. The patient is placed in a supine position with his head slightly elevated.

Trauma to the lower extremity is common. The first pre-medical aid for a broken leg is to have the victim in a lying position, while a splint should be applied to the injured leg or, in the absence of one, tied to an uninjured limb and complete rest should be ensured. After this, the following sequence of actions is carried out:

• Free the injured part of the body from clothing or shoes, place the victim on a flat surface, ensure a comfortable position for the injured leg or arm.
• It is necessary to carry out mandatory immobilization for fractures. Immobilize the injured limb by applying splints or another object at hand.
• If the fracture is open, it is very important to prevent infection, so the wound must be washed with an antiseptic and a sterile bandage applied to it.
• In case of loss of consciousness and absence of pulse, it is necessary to take measures aimed at returning the person to life. If the pulse is palpable, but the person is unconscious, then he needs to be brought to his senses.
• For severe painful symptoms, you can relieve pain with painkillers such as Analgin, Ketanov, Nurofen.

Kinds

Before providing first aid for fractures of the extremities, it is necessary to take into account the main symptoms that confirm that a violation of the integrity of the bone has occurred. These include deformation of the limb, loss of motor function, swelling and swelling in the injured area, a characteristic crunch when moving the affected part of the body, and severe pain. If it is not possible to determine whether a fracture or other injury has occurred, the rules applicable to a fractured limb must be followed.

In any case, you need to immobilize the limb. Immobilization is carried out with the application of a Kramer transport splint. If there are no special transport tires, then you can use boards, cardboard, an umbrella or other dense material.

Carrying out first aid for limb fractures, depending on the type and nature of the injury, the degree of severity, includes a set of the following actions:

1. Emergency care for upper limb injuries consists of ensuring complete immobility of the injured arm and fixing the injured limb to the body with a bandage. If the shoulder joint is damaged, fixation is carried out using two splints. One of them is bandaged on the outside of the shoulder, the other - from the armpit to the elbow joint. If a special splint is not at hand, then the bent arm is suspended on a scarf and bandaged well to the body. The victim is transported in a sitting position. To prevent the occurrence of hematoma, swelling, and reduce pain, apply ice or a cold compress to the injured area. It is important to ensure complete calm of the patient; you can give a drug with a calming effect. If there is severe pain, painkillers should be taken.
2. First aid for a lower limb injury should be provided by ensuring complete rest of the injured leg. You need to immobilize one joint located above the fracture site to another, which is located below the injury site. Secure the injured leg by tying it to the healthy limb. If swelling has formed, a bandage should be applied to it.

It is also useful to know how to provide.

First aid for closed fractures

With a closed leg fracture, first aid is to stop the bleeding, which can accompany even such an injury. Immobilize bone fragments by applying a fixing splint. The splint must be applied above and below the damaged segment. If the injured area has formed in the hip and shoulder area, then ensure the immobility of the three joints. With a closed fracture, it is also important to apply ice and give a drug to help relieve pain. Transport the victim to the traumatology department. A violation of the integrity of the foot is considered a dangerous injury. When providing first aid in in this case it is necessary to fix the foot using special bandages. To do this, apply a small object, attach it with a plaster and fix it next to the adjacent finger.

First aid for open fractures

An open fracture is one of the most common and severe injuries that requires immediate treatment. Providing first aid for a broken limb requires immediate stopping of bleeding to avoid severe blood loss. First, the wound needs to be treated with an antiseptic; if you don’t have one at hand, then it can be closed with any natural material. In case of arterial bleeding, a hemostatic tourniquet is used, and the contraction force is constantly adjusted. If the bleeding occurs in a mild form, it will be enough to stop the bleeding by applying a tight bandage or simply bandaging the wound.

The next manipulation in the presence of an open fracture of the limb is the application of a splint to create immobility. Place the patient comfortably in a supine position with the head slightly elevated. Then a soft object is placed under the elbows and lower limb to alleviate the condition of the victim, and a splint is carefully applied directly to the fracture site. In case of severe pain, the victim is given an anesthetic, and in case of post-traumatic shock, anti-shock therapy is carried out. Applying ice and a cold compress helps reduce swelling and pain.

More useful information about .

In case of an open fracture of the leg, it is imperative to fix the injured limb, and only then transport the victim to the first aid station. With increased blood loss, a person may lose consciousness, so it is important to know how to bring him to his senses.

If a limb is broken, it is forbidden to set it yourself or try to put the bone in place.

First aid for fractures is a stage on which the effectiveness of treatment and a person’s ability to restore motor activity subsequently depend. And in some cases, even the life of the victim depends on how quickly and correctly first aid is provided.

General principles of first aid

Regardless of the location of the fracture and the severity of the injury, the following rules must be observed:

Features of first aid for joint fractures

Fractures of articular structures can rightfully be considered one of the most dangerous in terms of consequences for further motor activity of a person and his ability to work. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, such a fracture can be open, closed, with or without displacement, and may also be accompanied by crushing of soft tissues.

Most often, fractures of the joints of the limbs occur, and the following symptoms are observed:

To properly provide first aid for joint fractures, it is very important to fix the limb in a stationary position. This will help avoid further damage during transportation and prevent bone fragments from tearing blood vessels and soft tissues.

The technique of immobilizing a broken joint differs from immobilization for a bone fracture, and is a difficult task for a non-specialist. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures that will help wait for the arrival of an emergency ambulance or transport the patient to a hospital, where he will receive qualified assistance:

• apply a cold compress to the injured joint (if you have ice on hand, be sure to wrap it in several layers of cloth);
• give the injured limb an elevated position;
• in case of a fracture of the knee or hip joint, lay the victim on his back, placing a roll of rolled up clothing or a blanket under the knee of the injured leg;
• in case of a fracture of the elbow or shoulder joint, a scarf or a piece of gauze is tied to the forearm, the forearm is brought to the body, after which the free ends of the fabric are tied around the victim’s waist so that the forearm is rigidly and motionlessly fixed.

Important: only a specialist can differentiate a joint dislocation from a fracture. Therefore, the presence of pain in the joint that occurs after an injury is enough to begin providing first aid to the victim.

Features of providing first aid for head fractures

When the bones of the facial or cerebral part of the skull are fractured, the brain is often at risk, so the main attention when providing first aid should be aimed at reducing the likelihood of bleeding in the brain and its swelling.

Important: severe head injuries are often combined with fractures cervical spine spine, therefore, when assisting the victim, immobilize his neck with the help of an improvised collar placed around the neck - a piece of cardboard, fabric folded several times, etc. so that the “collar” captures the chin in front and the entire occipital region in the back.

Features of first aid for spinal fractures

Spinal fractures are among the most dangerous injuries in terms of prognosis for the recovery of the victim. Therefore, the correct provision of first aid for injuries to the spinal column is an event of critical importance.

You can understand that the spine is damaged by one or more of the following signs:

To properly provide first aid for spinal fractures, the main condition remains immobilization of the victim’s entire body. This will prevent displacement of the vertebrae and associated possible consequences(compression or rupture of the spinal cord, damage to arteries and nerve fibers).

Immobilization is carried out in the following sequence:

• any rigid mobile surface is prepared (several boards tied together, a door removed from its hinges, etc.) that will serve as a stretcher;
• 2 rolls are prepared from folded clothes, blankets, etc., which, after transferring the patient to a stretcher, will be placed under his neck and under his knees;
• to transfer the victim onto a stretcher, at least 2 people are required: one supports the injured person by the shoulders and head, the second - by the pelvic area and legs;
• transferring is carried out by command: both people providing assistance simultaneously lift the victim from the ground/floor and lower him onto the stretcher with his back down;
• the patient is placed with bolsters under his neck and knees;
• The entire body of the victim is fixed with belts, ropes or other available devices so that his position on the stretcher is motionless during transportation.

Important: in case of a spinal fracture, any movement of the victim without prior immobilization threatens his life!

Features of first aid for open fractures

An open fracture is a violation of the integrity of a bone or joint, in which individual parts of the bones damage the soft tissue and come out. From a diagnostic point of view, this is perhaps the “easiest” injury, the identification of which does not require special knowledge and skills. But as for the prognosis for recovery, everything is not so simple: an open wound becomes a gateway for infections that literally surround a person.

In addition, if a fracture occurs in close proximity to a large blood vessel, there is a high risk of damage and bleeding. In such a situation, minutes count - the life of the victim depends on the correct provision of first aid for an open fracture.

Therefore, when providing first aid, the following rules must be observed:

• the wound and surrounding skin must be cleaned of contaminants using cotton wool or a bandage, then rinse the wound with hydrogen peroxide, apply iodine to the skin around the wound and cover the area with a sterile cloth;
• if a large amount of blood is released from the wound on the injured limb, it is necessary to apply a tourniquet above the bleeding site, placing a note under it indicating the time of application of the tourniquet; if it is impossible to quickly deliver the victim to a medical facility, make sure that every 15-20 minutes you loosen the tourniquet for 5-10 minutes (depending on the intensity of the bleeding) and apply it again, constantly repeating these cycles until the doctors arrive;
• for open fractures with external bleeding in an area where a tourniquet cannot be applied (pelvic bones, ribs), tightly apply a sterile cotton swab or bandage to the wound and hold it with your hand.

Important: in case of fractures, regardless of their location and type, the following actions are strictly prohibited:

• trying to correct bone or joint deformities on your own - this can cause painful shock in the victim;
• carry out pain relief using any drugs containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) - this is fraught with the risk of bleeding;
• Trying to give the victim water or give him an anesthetic or other medicine if he is unconscious or in a clouded state of consciousness (slow or absent reaction to the environment, inability to focus his eyes, incoherent slurred speech, etc.) - this can cause blockage of the airways.

A fracture is a bone injury that disrupts its integrity. Traumatic fractures are divided into open (there is damage to the skin in the fracture area) and closed (the skin is not broken).

With an open fracture, the injury is beyond doubt. A closed fracture is not so obvious, especially if it is incomplete, when part of the diameter of the bone is broken, often in the form of a crack.

All fractures are characterized by:

• sharp pain with any movements and loads;
• change in the position and shape of the limb, its shortening;
• dysfunction of a limb (impossibility of usual actions or abnormal mobility);
• swelling and bruising in the fracture area.

Providing first aid for fractures limbs largely determines the outcome of the injury: the speed of healing, the prevention of a number of complications (bleeding, displacement of fragments, shock) and has three goals:

• creating immobility of bones in the fracture area (which prevents displacement of fragments and damage to them by the edges of blood vessels, nerves and muscles);
• prevention of shock;
• prompt delivery of the victim to a medical facility.

First aid for a closed fracture

If it is possible to call an ambulance, then do so. Then keep the injured limb immobile, for example, place it on a pillow and keep it at rest. Place something cold on the suspected fracture area. The victim himself can be given hot tea or a painkiller to drink.

If you have to transport the victim yourself, you must first apply a splint from any available materials (boards, skis, sticks, rods, umbrellas).

Any two solid objects are applied to the limb from opposite sides on top of clothing and secured securely, but not tightly (so as not to interfere with blood circulation) with a bandage or other suitable materials at hand (sash, belt, tape, rope).

It is necessary to fix two joints - above and below the fracture site. For example, in case of a tibia fracture, the ankle and knee joints are fixed, and in case of a hip fracture, all joints of the leg are fixed.

If there is absolutely nothing at hand, then the damaged limb should be bandaged to the healthy one (an arm to the torso, a leg to the second leg).

A victim with a broken leg is transported in a lying position; it is advisable to elevate the injured limb.

First aid for an open fracture

An open fracture is more dangerous than a closed one, since there is a possibility of infection of the fragments.

If there is bleeding, it must be stopped. If the bleeding is minor, then applying a pressure bandage is sufficient. For heavy bleeding apply a tourniquet, not forgetting to note the time of its application. If the transportation time takes more than 1.5-2 hours, then every 30 minutes the tourniquet must be loosened for 3-5 minutes.

The skin around the wound must be treated with an antiseptic (iodine, brilliant green). If it is absent, the wound should be covered with cotton cloth.

Now you should apply a splint, just as in the case of a closed fracture, but avoiding the place where bone fragments protrude outward and take the victim to a medical facility.

You cannot try to set the bone and move the victim without applying a splint!

A fracture is a complete or partial disruption of the integrity of a bone under the influence of a load exceeding its strength. It can appear either as a result of injury or against the background of various diseases in which the strength characteristics of bone tissue change.

Traumatic bone fractures can be open or closed. With closed injuries, the skin remains intact; with open injuries, the integrity of the skin is violated, and contact of the fracture site occurs with environment.

Signs and symptoms

If an open fracture is visible to the naked eye, then identifying closed injuries is sometimes difficult. Especially if the bone is cracked or not completely broken.

There are a number of signs that indicate a fracture:

• severe pain at the time of injury and after it. The pain increases with any movement and stress;
• visual deformation and unnatural position of the limb, its shortening;
• pathological mobility - the inability to perform habitual movements or, on the contrary, mobility unusual for the limb;
• the appearance of edema, hematoma at the site of injury.

Providing first aid for fractures largely determines their outcome and affects the rate of bone healing, prevents the development of complications in the form of bleeding, displacement of bone fragments and damage to them by sharp edges of blood vessels and nerves. Thanks to the correct sequence of actions, post-traumatic shock can also be prevented.

First aid has several goals:

• immobilization - creating immobility of bones at the fracture site;
• stopping bleeding, if any;
• antiseptic treatment of the wound, if any;
• prompt and careful transportation of the victim to a medical facility.

Closed type

The first step is to call an ambulance, then ensure the immobility of the injured part of the body. If a limb is injured, you should place it on a pillow. You need to apply cold to the injury site - for example, ice from the freezer or a bag of frozen food will do. Ice or a bag must be wrapped in a towel or cloth to prevent frostbite. The injured person can be given warm tea or an analgesic tablet to drink.

When transporting yourself, you need to apply a tire from any available materials - boards, cardboard, skis, ski poles. A temporary tire can be made even from an ordinary umbrella, especially if it is a simple folding one and not an automatic one.

First aid for fractures consists of only three steps - immobilization, anesthesia and transportation

Two solid objects of a certain length are applied to the limb on both sides and bandaged tightly, but not tightly, so as not to disrupt blood circulation. If there is no bandage or tape, the splint is tied with a belt, tape, rope or belt.

For proper fixation, it is necessary to immobilize two joints - above and below the fracture site. For example, if a person breaks his lower leg, the knee and ankle are immobilized (immobilized). A hip fracture requires fixation of all joints of the leg.

In case of an ankle fracture, only the ankle joint in a physiologically advantageous position, when a right angle is formed between the foot and the lower leg.

In extreme cases, when there are no suitable objects at hand, the broken leg is tied to the healthy leg, and the arm to the body.

A patient with a broken leg is transported in a lying position; the injured limb should ideally be elevated.

Open type

Emergency care for open fractures begins with stopping bleeding, if any. For minor blood loss, applying a pressure bandage is sufficient. Severe bleeding requires the use of a tourniquet, and you need to remember the time it is applied. This is important in the case of a long journey, when the patient will have to be transported for more than an hour. Every half hour the tourniquet must be loosened for 4-5 minutes.

The skin around the wound is treated with an antiseptic - iodine or brilliant green. In the absence of any medications, the wound is simply covered with a clean cloth or bandage. Next, a splint is applied as for a closed fracture, but this is done carefully, avoiding the area with protruding bone fragments. The victim is taken to a hospital or emergency room.

What you should not do in case of a fracture: it is forbidden to “put the bone in place” yourself and carry an injured person without applying a splint!

It is also worth noting that an open fracture is more dangerous than a closed one, since there is a risk of wound infection.

How to get help for a broken leg

First aid for a broken leg includes immobilization with a splint, stopping bleeding and antiseptic treatment of the wound (if the fracture is open). If necessary, a tourniquet is applied above the wound, which helps stop blood loss.

Severe pain can be relieved by taking an analgesic tablet or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Diclofenac or Ibuprofen.

Leg fractures are a common type of fracture and occur in people of all ages. The most common cause is a fall from high altitude, heavy impact or road accidents. Athletes suffer fractures due to high physical activity, children - due to their mobility, and older people often encounter such injuries as a result of a natural decrease in bone density.

You can determine that a leg is broken by the following symptoms:

• the shape of the limb has changed;
• when moving, a crunching sound is felt - crepitus - which can be heard or detected by touch;
• the leg is unnaturally arched or severely overextended;
• with open injuries, bone fragments are visible in the wound.

The pain syndrome intensifies with movement and axial load, so it is impossible to stand on the leg. Swelling gradually develops and bruising appears. With extensive damage, traumatic shock is possible: at first the person underestimates the severity of the injury, he is overexcited and pale, his heart rate increases, and his breathing becomes intermittent.

Blood pressure may increase, but more often it decreases. Gradually, excitement gives way to lethargy and lethargy, the volume of urine excreted decreases, thirst and dry mouth arise. In severe cases, fainting and impaired respiratory function.

How to treat a hip injury

Most often, this injury occurs in elderly people, which is associated with age-related changes in bone tissue and the structural features of this bone. The femur consists of a body, neck and head, and the weak link in this system is the thin neck. In most cases, it is this that breaks; fractures in the area of ​​the greater trochanter and condyles occur much less frequently.

If the symptoms of an open fracture are almost always obvious, then closed damage can be difficult to recognize. You should pay attention to the following manifestations:

• severe pain in the thigh that increases when trying to bend or lift the leg up;
• it is very difficult or completely impossible to move a limb;
• the leg has become visually shorter, its shape is unnatural;
• pathological mobility is observed in the hip area;
• the color of the skin of the lower legs has changed and sensitivity has decreased;
• swelling and/or hematoma at the site of injury rapidly increases.

A hip fracture is a serious injury that often causes complications. In this area there are many large vessels and nerve trunks, damage to which can lead to massive bleeding, disruption motor ability and decreased sensitivity.

In addition, the femur is a long tubular bone, in the center of which is yellow bone marrow. Violation of its integrity is fraught with the entry of fat particles into the bloodstream, which, in turn, can result in blockage (embolism) of the pulmonary artery.

In some cases, ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction develops. There is a high risk of massive fat embolism fatal outcome Therefore, it is very important to carry out the necessary first aid measures in a timely manner.

Immobilization for a hip fracture is best done using a Dieterichs splint, but it is possible to use available materials and fix the leg with planks on two opposite sides.

Dieterichs splint is the most convenient device for immobilizing a leg in case of a hip fracture

If you have to transport the victim far, it is advisable to add a third tire (possibly semi-rigid).

It is necessary to immobilize all three joints - hip, knee and ankle. The splint should not be allowed to be on the wound area and protruding bones. And a few more rules:

• you cannot walk or even lean on the affected limb;
• Do not tie the splint tightly so as not to disrupt the blood supply and innervation. It is very important to periodically check whether the color of the leg has changed, whether there is numbness, and if necessary, loosen the bandage;
• the splint should not be fixed too loosely; there should be no mobility in the joints;
• the foot should be immobilized in a position at right angles to the shin, otherwise it will sag, which can cause displacement of bone fragments;
• a soft pad should be placed under the tire to prevent the formation of bedsores, especially in the joint area;
• It is forbidden to pull or tug on the leg, thus “setting” the broken bone.

WARNING: It is very important for the first aid provider to remain calm and cool.

How to help with a broken arm

First health care(PMP) in case of injury to the upper limb is almost no different from that in case of injury to the legs. The most important thing is to immobilize your hand correctly and quickly, since delay can turn closed fracture in the open.

The method of immobilizing the arm is described above - wooden strips or pieces of long plywood are tied to it on both sides. If the accident occurred in a private home, you can use tree branches for tires.

When the humerus is fractured, one bar is placed along the shoulder and the other is placed parallel to the forearm. The limb is fixed in a bent position at a right angle, for which a scarf bandage is used.

It’s very easy to make a head scarf: fold any fabric in half diagonally and wrap it around your forearm. The hand is in front of the chest and bent at the elbow at a right angle. Next, the ends of the scarf are brought behind the neck and tied. To prevent displacement of bone fragments, the edges of the bandage should be tied tightly.

REFERENCE: a victim with a broken arm is transported in a sitting position.

The prevalence of shoulder fractures is approximately 7% of the total number of injuries, that is, the humerus bones are broken very often. This type of injury is accompanied by sharp painful sensations, swelling and obvious shortening of the arm. Movements are limited; if the nerve trunks are damaged, it is impossible to move your fingers or clench your hand into a fist.

Bandages are a universal method of immobilizing injured hands.

If there are fragments, you can hear the grinding of bone fragments. A shoulder fracture can be complicated by bleeding into the joint: if the bone is broken closer to the elbow, then blood accumulates in the elbow joint. If the integrity of the bone in the proximal part is broken, blood flows into the shoulder joint.

We must not forget about the moral state of the patient. If possible, you should calm him down, give him a painkiller, and if necessary, offer Valocordin or Cordiamine.

REFERENCE: Cordiamin is an analeptic (from the Greek analeptikos - restorative), which will be useful if the victim has signs of post-traumatic shock.

In case of fractures of the arm and shoulder, it is forbidden to pull or yank the arm in an attempt to return the bones to their previous position.

What to do if your spine is broken

Such injuries are among the most severe and can pose a threat to the life of the victim. It is necessary to immobilize the body as quickly as possible and fix it in one position.

If it turns out that the spine is broken, the sequence of actions will be as follows:

• The person is carefully lifted and transferred to any hard surface - a bed, couch, flat floor. Several people should do this, preferably three or four. The coordination of the assistants’ actions is very important; jerking and sudden movements are not allowed.
• The patient lies on his back, he is tied with belts, ropes or bandages to avoid displacement of bone fragments.
• A person should be placed on a stretcher face down, that is, on his stomach, but if a neck fracture is suspected, he is left lying on his back.
• If there are signs of a fracture of the pelvic bones, the legs are spread apart, like a frog.

REFERENCE: You cannot carry or shift a person unless absolutely necessary. These functions should be entrusted to doctors. The exception is in emergency cases when leaving the injury at the scene threatens life - for example, in case of a fire or earthquake.

For fractures of the cervical vertebrae, you need to make a tight and high collar to fix the neck. For this, a thick towel, gauze or fabric in which cotton wool is wrapped in a layer of 2-3 cm is suitable. The width of the collar should correspond to the height of the neck. To secure it, you can use Velcro, paper clips, clips, etc.

Transporting a victim with a fractured cervical vertebrae is a very responsible undertaking that requires at least 3 people

If a person is lying on his back, the collar cannot be put on, since it cannot be moved. In this case, a towel or other fabric rolled up in several layers is placed under the back of the head. Then, two rolls are also twisted from a towel or gauze and placed on the sides of the head. To prevent them from moving, you can place books or other heavy objects next to the rollers.

The most important

Often, eyewitnesses to an incident do not have special knowledge, so they make serious mistakes when providing first aid. Wrong actions can prolong recovery time, and in the worst case, cost the victim his life.

For fractures of limbs and other parts of the body, you must not:

• feed or water a person, except in cases of prevention of traumatic shock;
• try to forcefully straighten an arm or leg;
• in case of an open fracture, remove fragments from the wound;
• unless absolutely necessary, move an injured person or change the position of a broken body part;
• pour iodine, brilliant green and other antiseptics directly into the wound: they can cause painful shock;
• use dirty dressings.

The arriving medical team should be informed about measures to prevent pain shock. Information about the analgesics or alcohol taken by the patient may be useful if subsequent treatment requires general anesthesia.