An open fracture is a fairly serious damage to the bones, which is accompanied by the destruction of nearby soft tissues. As a rule, the integrity of the bone is violated during a fall, mechanical impact, excess load on a particular part of the body.
There are specific signs that characterize an open fracture. First of all, the symptoms vary in place of localization. For example, with a fracture of the tubular bones, a significant shortening of the damaged limb occurs, sharp pain and increased mobility in the fracture zone appear. If an open fracture of the patella is recorded, then this area swells in a person due to edema and hemorrhage, the support function of the body is violated, it is impossible to bend or straighten a leg without pain. With a fracture of the foot , puffiness and an increase in size, pain during movement also appear.
Of course, an open leg fracture requires immediate medical attention. The final result of the treatment and restoration of the damaged bone depends on this. First of all, pain should be reduced with the help of analgesic drugs. Next, be sure to provide peace and stillness of the damaged part of the limb. To do this, it is advisable to use various improvised materials if there is no special tire. These are wooden slats, sticks, cardboard and other dense materials that will help fix the broken leg. For example, if a person received an open fracture of the lower leg, then the tire is superimposed on the damage zone. It is very important to fix it correctly using dressings or ordinary strips of clean cloth. Please note that the tire is applied only to the bare limb, after having previously treated the open fracture with disinfectants and antiseptics (iodine, alcohol, cologne, streptocide), which eliminates the possibility of infection entering the wound. In no case do not engage in self-alignment of bones at home, the limb must be fixed in the position in which it is after injury.
Very often, the victim develops severe bleeding, which should be stopped in time to prevent large blood loss. As a rule, the best option is to impose a tight tourniquet or bandage. Pre-determine the nature of the bleeding. It is venous and arterial. Arterial blood has a bright scarlet hue, and it follows with jerks. To stop it, you need to transfer the artery above the damage zone for 1-1.5 hours. Venous blood has a dark red color, and flows with a smooth stream. In this case, the dressing is applied below the zone of damage.
After providing first aid, you should immediately consult a specialist, since it is necessary to correctly establish the position of bone fragments for proper fusion. Currently, various metal elements (plates, nails) are used, which allow to accelerate the healing and restoration of the body.
The most common complications after receiving an open fracture are impaired blood circulation and limb motor function. In addition, the age of the patient is of great importance, since at a young age, the bones grow together faster than in older people. Over the years, calcium is washed out of the bones, and they become more fragile, which leads to increased trauma even with a slight impact or pressure on the bone. Therefore, you must be very careful, especially in winter on slippery roads.