Managing Bone Fractures Until A Doctor Is Present
Falling down the stairs, contact sports, or vehicular accidents are all common causes of broken bones. Children often break bones while riding bicycles, and older people with osteoporosis can find that their bones fracture easily. The majority of fractures will happen at or near the home, but can also occur during a camping, hiking, or hunting expedition. Regardless of whether you are close to medical assistance or miles away, it helps to understand the difference between fractures and how to splint them to prevent further injury and relieve some of the discomfort.
The Types Of Bone Fractures
The fracture that is most easy to deal with is the simple, closed fracture. In a break of this kind, there is no irruption of the bone through the skin, and immobilization will help prevent further damage. Remember that when splinting a fracture to move the affected area as little as possible.
An open fracture is more serious as the bone has protruded out and is visible. There can be quite a lot of bleeding associated with an open fracture, and helping to stabilize the area will not only keep the injury from becoming worse, but will also help to alleviate some of the pain.
Comminuted fractures are those in which the bone has been crushed to some extent and will contain at least 3 bone fragments. Fractures of this type will often need surgery to correct.
Splints Can Be Made From Nearly Anything
If you find yourself having to deal with bone fractures, it is relatively easy to make a splint that will hold the affected area securely until professional medical help is available. While strips of wood and lengths of cloth are what most people think of as material out of which to make a splint, there are plenty of items in your home that will do. A soft splint can be made with a folded up towel. Several thicknesses of the cloth will easily provide enough support for a broken arm. Use tape both above and below the fracture to hold the limb steady. Newspapers or magazines also make good splints, but be sure to add some padding, such as a towel, before placing the splint on the arm.
Broken legs can be a more serious problem, but splinting is also possible, especially if you have access to some larger cardboard boxes. These can be opened up and cut to provide a sturdy splint for the leg fracture. It would be best to pad this splint to prevent further discomfort. When a broken leg is present, it is also possible to tie the legs together to provide stability. Breaks in the thigh or hip are more serious than a lower leg break. In this case, you will want to use a board long enough to go from the patient’s underarm to their foot. Use wide cloth strips to hold the board in place, and once again bind both legs together.
Open Fractures
An open fracture is one in which the broken bone is protruding through the skin. Never attempt to push the bone back in, this will only make it more likely that a serious infection will follow. Bleeding will generally be present, so apply pressure next to the bone to help clot the blood. Place a gauze pad loosely over the bone and tape in place. Once the bleeding has been dealt with and the bone covered, splint as for any other fracture.
Head, Spine, Or Neck Fractures
An injury in this area can cause permanent damage, so move the injured person as little as possible. Stabilize the head and neck by placing rolls of towels around them, to prevent even accidental movement. Unless an extremely serious emergency (such as a house fire) occurs, leave the person in place until rescue personnel arrive. If the person absolutely must be moved, use as many helpers as possible to lift the injured party onto a stretcher or board and do not allow the body to bend. Once on the stretcher, tie the person in place and use folded towels or clothing to keep the head from moving.
