Bone, Joint, and Muscle Injuries

1. Chapter 14
Bone, Joint, and Muscle
Injuries

2. Bone Injuries
Fractures
• Fracture and
broken bone both
mean a break or
crack in a bone.
• Two categories:
• Closed—the skin is
intact.
• Open—the skin has
been broken.

3. Types of Fractures (1 of 2)
• Traverse—cut across the bone at right angles
• Greenstick—incomplete fracture
• Spiral—usually result from a twisting injury

4. Types of Fractures (2 of 2)
• Oblique—cross the bone in a slanting
direction
• Comminuted—the bone is fragmented into
more than two pieces
• Impacted—the broken ends are jammed
together

5. Recognizing Fractures
When in doubt, treat
the injury as a
fracture.
•Use DOTS
• Deformity
• Open wounds
• Tenderness
• Swelling

6. Recognizing Fractures
Additional Signs and Symptoms
• Loss of use
• Guarding
• Crepitus—a grating
sensation
• History

7. Care for Fractures (1 of 6)
• Check for life-threatening
conditions first.
• Gently remove clothing covering
the injured area.
• Examine the area by looking and
feeling for DOTS.

8. Care for Fractures (2 of 6)
Check blood flow and
nerves using the
mnemonic CSM.
•C—Circulation
• For arm injury, feel for
radial pulse.
• For leg injury, feel for
posterior tibial pulse.

9. Care for Fractures (3 of 6)
•S—Sensation
• Lightly touch or
squeeze one of the
victim’s toes or
fingers.

10. Care for Fractures (4 of 6)
•M—Movement
• Have the victim
wiggle his or her
toes and fingers.

11. Care for Fractures (5 of 6)
• Stabilize injured
part.
• For an open
fracture:
• Do not push on
protruding bones.
• Cover wound
with a dressing
without applying
pressure.

12. Care for Fractures (6 of 6)
• If possible, apply an ice pack.
• Seek medical care.

13. Joint Injuries
A joint is where two or more bones
come together.

14. Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a joint comes
apart and stays apart with the bone ends no
longer in contact.

15. Recognizing Dislocations
• Deformity (the main
sign)
• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Inability of the
victim to move
injured joint

16. Care for Dislocations
• Check the CSM.
• Use the RICE procedures:
• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Use a splint to stabilize the joint.
• Do not try to reduce the joint.
• Seek medical care.

17. Sprains
A sprain occurs when a joint is twisted or
stretched beyond its normal range of
motion.

18. Recognizing Sprains
Show similar signs and symptoms to a
fracture.
• Severe pain
• Pain prevents the victim from moving or using the
joint.
• Swelling
• Skin around the joint may be discolored.

19. Care for Sprains
• Follow the RICE procedures.
• Apply ice pack for 20 minutes.
• Apply compression for 3 to 4 hours.
• Repeat the cycle.
• Raise the injured part.
• Use cold promptly.

20. Muscle Injuries
Muscle injuries pose no real
emergency.

21. Strains
• Also known as a muscle pull
• Occurs when a muscle is stretched
beyond its normal range of motion and
tears the muscle
• Inflammation begins immediately after
an injury.
• Can take 24 to 72 hours for pain and
stiffness to begin.

22. Recognizing Strains
• Sudden, sharp pain in affected muscle
• Extreme tenderness when touched
• Swelling
• Weakness and inability to use injured
part
• Stiffness and pain when victim moves
the muscle
• After a few days, the skin around the
injury may be discolored.

23. Care for Strains
Follow the RICE procedures.

24. Cramps
• Occurs when a muscle goes into an
uncontrolled spasm and contraction
• Associated with diabetes, atherosclerosis,
and physical activity
• Two categories:
• Night cramps
• Occur at night or at rest
• Heat cramps
• Related to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance

25. Recognizing Cramps
• Sudden, severe pain, usually in
the legs
• A knotting of the muscle
• Restricted movement

26. Care for Cramps
• Gently stretch the muscle.
• Relax the muscle.
• Apply an ice pack.
• Pinch the upper lip hard.
• Drink lightly salted cool water.
• Drink a commercial sports drink.

27. Muscle Contusion
A muscle contusion or bruise results from a
blow to the muscle.

28. Recognizing Contusions
• Swelling
• Pain and tenderness
• After a few days, the skin in the area may
become discolored.

29. Care for Contusions
• Follow the RICE procedures.