Injuries to Muscles, Injuries to Muscles, Bones, and JointsBones, and Joints

Health 10Health 10

September 16, 2008September 16, 2008

Muscles, Bones, Tendons, and Muscles, Bones, Tendons, and LigamentsLigaments

► The body’s skeleton is The body’s skeleton is made up of bones and made up of bones and muscles and the tendons muscles and the tendons and ligaments that and ligaments that connect them.connect them.

Musculoskeletal InjuriesMusculoskeletal Injuries1. 1. FracturesFractures

► A complete break, a chip, or a crack in a A complete break, a chip, or a crack in a bone.bone.

► Fractures are open or closedFractures are open or closed► Fractures are life threatening only if they Fractures are life threatening only if they

involve breaks in large bones such as the involve breaks in large bones such as the thigh, sever an artery, or affect breathing.thigh, sever an artery, or affect breathing.

Musculoskeletal Injuries Musculoskeletal Injuries (cont.)(cont.)2. 2. DislocationsDislocations

► Movement of a bone at a joint away from Movement of a bone at a joint away from its normal position.its normal position.

► Tearing the ligaments that hold the bones Tearing the ligaments that hold the bones in place.in place.

► Displaced bone end often forms a bump, Displaced bone end often forms a bump, a ridge, or hollow that doesn’t normally a ridge, or hollow that doesn’t normally exist.exist.

Musculoskeletal Injuries Musculoskeletal Injuries (cont.)(cont.)

3. Sprain3. Sprain► Tearing of ligaments at a joint.Tearing of ligaments at a joint.► Mild sprains may swell but Mild sprains may swell but

usually heal quickly.usually heal quickly.► Joints most easily injured are Joints most easily injured are

the ankle, knee, wrist, and the ankle, knee, wrist, and fingers.fingers.

Musculoskeletal Injuries Musculoskeletal Injuries (cont.)(cont.)

4.4. StrainStrain Stretching or tearing of Stretching or tearing of

muscles and tendons.muscles and tendons.

Often caused by lifting Often caused by lifting something heavy or something heavy or working a muscle too hard.working a muscle too hard.

Usually involves muscles in Usually involves muscles in the neck, back, or thigh or the neck, back, or thigh or the back of the lower leg.the back of the lower leg.

Signals of Injury…Signals of Injury…► PainPain► Swollen and red, or Swollen and red, or

bruisedbruised► Twisted or strangely Twisted or strangely

bentbent► Lumps, ridges, and Lumps, ridges, and

hollowshollows► Victim may hear a Victim may hear a

snap or pop at the snap or pop at the time of the injury or time of the injury or feel bones grating.feel bones grating.

When should you can an When should you can an ambulance?ambulance?

Head, neck, or back injury.Head, neck, or back injury. The victim is having problems breathing.The victim is having problems breathing. The victim is unable to move or use the The victim is unable to move or use the

injured part without pain.injured part without pain.

General CareGeneral Care

R.I.C.ER.I.C.E► Rest – Ice – Compression - ElevationRest – Ice – Compression - Elevation

Ice applied to an injury helps reduce swelling and pain.

What is the purpose of What is the purpose of splinting?splinting?

*** To keep an injured area from moving.*** To keep an injured area from moving.

► Anatomic splintAnatomic splint A part of the victim’s body used as a splint.A part of the victim’s body used as a splint.

► Soft splintSoft splint A blanket, towel, or pillow used as a splint.A blanket, towel, or pillow used as a splint.

► SlingSling A triangular bandage can be used as a sling to splint an A triangular bandage can be used as a sling to splint an

injured arm, wrist, or hand.injured arm, wrist, or hand.

► Rigid splintRigid splint Boards, folded magazines, and newspapers, and metal Boards, folded magazines, and newspapers, and metal

strips used as rigid splint.strips used as rigid splint.

Steps for applying a splintSteps for applying a splint

► Check for feeling, warmth and color before Check for feeling, warmth and color before and after applying a splint.and after applying a splint.

► Always splint above and below the injury.Always splint above and below the injury.► Only splint in the position you find the Only splint in the position you find the

injury.injury.► Tie the splint snug. Not so Tie the splint snug. Not so

tight that it cuts off circulation, tight that it cuts off circulation,

or too loose so that the injured or too loose so that the injured

area can be moved.area can be moved.