In the article, we will consider how to provide first aid for fracture of the lower leg.
This is necessarily done at the site of injury. In that case, if the victim is taken to the hospital without prior splinting, then the closed form can easily turn into an open one. In addition, a wide variety of complications are not excluded. The main reason for getting an ankle fracture , as well as a shin, is a fall, usually from a height, or all kinds of road accidents. Also, often such injuries appear when squeezing the legs. Quite often, such a diagnosis is made to patients in the winter due to severe ice.
What is the first aid for fracture of the lower leg, we will describe below.
Signs
Unfortunately, it is often quite difficult to establish that such a fracture happened. This can only be done using radiography. Therefore, it is not worth the risk and it is absolutely necessary to fix the limb in the event that the victim has the following symptoms:
- The presence of an unusual shape of the lower leg. It may be at the wrong angle or bend very much.
- The presence of abnormal bone mobility in the area where it should not be at all.
- The presence of a crunch that can be heard from a distance. This symptom is called crepitus.
- The appearance of edema.
- The occurrence of severe and acute pain.
- The appearance of shortening of the limbs and limitations of general mobility.
Diagnose, of course, the easiest way is the open form. But just such is considered quite difficult to treat. It is worth noting that first aid in case of a fracture of the lower leg should be provided by medical professionals.
First aid for open fracture of the lower leg bones
Assistance in violation of the integrity of the bone tissue of the lower leg, as well as the algorithm of actions, directly depends on the type of injury, that is, on whether the fracture was open or closed. In the first embodiment, bone fragments can break through the skin, going out. In the second situation, skin damage is not observed, but everything can change if first aid for an open fracture of the lower leg is not provided according to the prescribed rules.
With this type of wound, it is imperative to treat with any suitable antiseptic and after that a dressing is required. Next, you can start splinting of the damaged part of the body. In the case of a closed type, this manipulation is carried out immediately.
What else is first aid for an open fracture of the lower leg?
It is important to remember that in no case should clothes or shoes be removed from the victim. The tire is laid over. In the role of improvised material, use a board, plywood, or something else that will not allow your legs to bend.
First aid for an open fracture of the lower leg should be very careful.
It should be fixed not just the shin, but also the knee with the ankle joint. It is also extremely important that the foot of the injured limb cannot make any movements, otherwise the situation can be further aggravated and the fracture without displacement will become more dangerous, and at the same time, complex with the movement of bone fragments.
In the event of a closed fracture, what should I do?
First aid for fracture of the closed lower leg includes the use of cold. This makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of developing large edema, and also does not allow the formation of severe bleeding that occurs when injuring veins or arteries. First aid for fracture of the leg should be provided correctly.
Cold should be used for three days after the injury. But heat is strictly contraindicated, since it causes increased edema, and against the background of bleeding, you can get a serious hematoma, then it will be very difficult to get rid of it.
First aid for fracture of the leg should begin immediately after the person is injured. The patient is delivered to the hospital in the next few hours from the moment of immobilization of the leg. It should be remembered that it is impossible to impose a tire on a damaged and unprotected leg in any case. It is mandatory to wrap it with a bandage or cloth, and then lay it with cotton wool. In the event that this is not done, then absolute stillness will be difficult to achieve.
The victim can only be transported in a supine position. He must not be allowed to try to move on his own or jump on one leg or use crutches.
Here is what the first aid consists in with a closed fracture of the lower leg.
Treatment
Treatment of a closed type of fracture of this part of the leg without bleeding is carried out, as a rule, in a hospital. In the event that the displacement of bone fragments has not occurred or only the tibia has been broken, then a dressing of gypsum is applied and the patient is sent for home treatment.
When, in addition, the fibula and tibia are broken, as well as displacements are present, then a mandatory surgical intervention is required. If this is not done, then the fracture can grow together incorrectly, and this will cause a violation of the general functionality of the affected limb.
Shin injury and rehabilitation
First aid against the background of an open fracture of the leg bone and therapy should end with a rehabilitation period, which must be started while in the hospital. It is imperative to bend, and at the same time, to extend the leg in the area of the knee, trying to keep it higher and lower to the floor, moving your fingers and doing a hip massage.
After getting rid of gypsum, you will need to undergo a full course of physiotherapeutic treatment, physical education and massage. In the future, you will need to avoid any overstrain and be sure to carry out an x-ray in order to understand how the bone marrow was formed. Often, a fracture of the leg with proper treatment does not leave any complications.
Symptoms of ankle fracture
The ankle is a bone process that forms the ankle joint. The inner element is a process of the lower lobe of the tibia. The outer one is the ending of the fibula. Fractures of the ankles are perhaps the most common types of injury to skeleton bones. Against this background, the outer part, as a rule, is injured about five times more often than the inside.
Most often, such a fracture is encountered in the winter as part of a fall during the onset of ice. Such an ankle injury can be displaced and without it, it can be open or closed. Most often, such fractures are accompanied by rupture of the ligaments and capsules of the ankle joint. A rather frequent complication is dislocation of the ankle joints (it is also called a fracture of the ankle element).
Fractures of this part of the body are usually accompanied by pain in the area of damage, the occurrence of severe edema of the entire joint, and at the same time the inability to step on this leg. True, in a number of situations, if a fracture occurs without displacement of only one ankle and there is no articular dislocation, then the patient retains the ability to walk and overcome pain.
How to provide first aid for a fracture of the leg, we told, but what if the ankle is damaged?
Ankle Fracture: First Aid
In the event that a person suspects a fracture, he must immediately call an ambulance. Before the arrival of the medical team, the following is required:
- Avoid subsequent injury.
- It is advisable to raise the leg up in order to reduce swelling and pain.
- A cold compress is applied to the injured surface in order to reduce swelling and pain. Such a measure is quite effective for the first twelve to twenty-four hours.
- Take the drug "Ibuprofen" in order to relieve inflammation and pain.
Open and closed ankle fracture
In medicine, a closed ankle fracture and an open type of such damage are distinguished. When closed, the soft tissue surrounding the bone is practically not damaged. When the damage is open, muscle rupture occurs. Blood vessels can also suffer and very severe edema is possible. Blood loss along with tissue necrosis is not excluded.
Treatment for ankle fracture
Doctors in this case impose a cast, the type of which directly depends on the nature of the fracture and the overall stability of the joint. In the event that the bones are not located correctly, the doctor will align them until the cast. For this, the patient may even need surgery. With open damage, a person also needs surgery.
Some injuries may occur due to sprain. Given that they are insignificant, they heal quite quickly. In case of any damage to the ankle, in no case should you rely on the damaged limb until the plaster is removed or the leg no longer hurts. Sometimes crutches can be used. If there is severe pain, the doctor usually prescribes painkillers.
When should I see a doctor?
First aid for fractures of the lower leg and ankle is very important.
It is also immediately necessary to call a doctor or an ambulance if:
- A man cannot lean on his leg.
- He has unbearable pain, even despite taking painkillers.
- Home methods of pain relief do not help.
- The leg or ankle area was numb.
The resuscitation department is required to contact as soon as possible in a number of the following cases:
- When a gross deformation of the bones of a given part of the body occurs.
- The patient has an open fracture.
- A person has unbearable pain discomfort, despite even painkillers.
- The patient cannot move his toes.
- A person does not feel a limb.
- The patient's leg turned blue.
In all these cases, the person most likely needs emergency surgery, and, in addition, in plaster. Moderate fractures usually heal from four to eight weeks.
Prevention
It is worth saying right away that it is quite difficult to prevent a fracture. All that needs to be done is to be extremely careful, and at the same time attentive, and in addition to wear only comfortable shoes.
Ankle fractures: what are the prospects?
A simple fracture is usually treated with plaster and in bed. Bone healing usually takes from four to eight weeks, and can take several months, depending on the physiological characteristics, the type of fracture, and in addition, on age, general immunity, and so on. Injuries of any type can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in damaged joints. The more complex the fractures, the higher the risks of developing this disease.
We examined first aid for fractures of the lower leg bones.