Bones, Joints and Muscles

Accidents cause many different types of injuries to bones, joints and muscles. When rendering first aid, you must be alert for signs of broken bones (fractures), dislocations, sprains, strains, and bruises (contusions).

Injuries to the joints and muscles often occur together, and it is difficult to tell whether the injury is to a joint, muscle, or tendon. It is difficult to tell joint or muscle injuries from fractures. When in doubt, always treat the injury as a fracture.

The primary process of first aid for fractures consists of immobilizing the injured part to prevent the ends of broken bones from moving and causing further damage to the nerves, blood vessels, or internal organs.

Splints are also used to immunize injured joints or muscles and to prevent the enlargement of severe wounds. Before administering first aid for injuries to the bones, joints, and muscles, you need to have a general understanding of the use of splints.

Splints

In an emergency, almost any firm object or material will serve as a splint.

• Umbrellas
• Canes
• Sticks
• Oars
• Wire mesh
• Boards
• Cardboard
• A fractured leg can be immobilized by securing it to the uninjured leg.

Splints should be lightweight, padded, strong, rigid, and long enough to reach the joint above and below the fracture. If splints are not properly padded, they will not adequately immobilize the injured part. Articles of clothing, bandages, blankets, or any soft material may be used as padding.

Heavy clothes may be able to serve as part of the required padding.