INJURIES TO THE EXTREMITIES

Dan Knight Matt Hubek

What’s an Extremity? An extremity is any limb of the body Injuries range from contusions to

amputations Include: - bones

- soft tissues - blood vessels - nerves

Responding to Injuries Signals:

- Pain - Swelling

- Deformities Why should you immobilize?

-Lessens pain and prevent further injury What should you use?

-SPLINTS

Types of Splints Soft splints:

Blankets, towels and pillows Rigid splints

Padded boards,folded magazines or metal strips

Anatomic splints Other body parts

Ex) think of two fingers taped together

Slings Type of Splint

Uses triangular bandage and a Binder or Swathe Designed to immobilize and provide stability

Applying a Splint Basics

Support the victim Check for circulation Cut off clothing around are

DO NOT allow person to bear weight or move it

Specific instructions will be covered later

Extremities Upper Extremities

The Arms Shoulders, Upper Arms, Elbowand hands

Lower Extremitites The legs

Thighs, Knees, and Lower legs

Upper Extremities – Shoulders/Upper Arm

Frequent Injuries include Breaking Clavicle Dislocation of shoulder Think of Arron Rodgers against the bears…

Control bleeding and try to minimize shock

This next image is disturbing …

Upper Extremities – Elbow Same Care as before except…

If the elbow is deformed still splint If it is straight, immobilize w/ rigid splints Pictures will become more graphic from this

point… Seriously…

Upper Extremities – Wrist/Hand Splint forearm by placing it underneath If a single finger is injured, use

anatomical splint with other finger If there are multiple broken fingers:

Place bandage around Allow fingers to curl Wrap the entire hand and splint

Lower Extremities - Thigh Main concern is breaking of the femur

If it breaks Control bleeding Alert EMS Realize shock is likely

Lower Extremities - Knee Most common in athletic activities

Be aware at athletic events To care

Use padded rigid splints Inside splint start at the groin Outside should start at the hip

Lower Extremities – Lower Leg Similar care to others except

Try and apply anatomic splint between the legs if possible

Lower Extremities – Ankle/foot Most common for rolled ankles

Athletic competition Similar care to other Injuries

Applying a sling Get consent Suport injury Check Circulation Position Sling Secure Sling Bind with Bandage Recheck circulation www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJZGuGa8JE

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Applying a Rigid Splint Get consent Support injury Check Circulation Place Splint Add Bandages Recheck Circulation

Applying an Anatomic Splint

Get Consent Support Injury Check circulation Position bandage Align body parts Tie bandages

QUestions For a sling you use a triangular bandage

and a ___________________. Name one of the two most frequent

injuries to the upper arm _____________________.

Main concern of injury to the thigh is ____________________.

Should you use an anatomical splint if there is more than one broken fingers? Yes or no?

Where do most knee injuries occur? _________________________

Scenario. You are at a Louisville basketball game,

sitting courtside. Kevin Ware is making his comeback and everyone is extremely excited. In warm ups, Kevin tries to dunk, then slips and suffers ANOTHER career ending injury where his knee is severely dislocated. What would you do? Be specific.