First aid for injuries

Imagine the situation: you are walking in the park and, suddenly, a cyclist comes at you, and you fall and break your arm ... Yes, it is not a  pleasant fantasy, and you can say that it is better not to think about it. But we, on the contrary, ask you to think about what to do in such situations. How to react if you or a stranger on the street may have a sprain, bruise, or fracture? You can call an ambulance and wait for it watching a person suffer, or you can provide first aid by yourself, relieve pain or even save a life.

First aid — is the help you can give yourself or someone else before an ambulance arrives. Usually, an arrival time of an ambulance is 20-30 minutes, but sometimes first aid may be necessary to avoid serious consequences.

First aid can include different actions like simply dressing a wound or preventing shock, or even maintaining a heart rhythm during a heart attack. Ideally, this should be done by someone trained and certified in first aid, but if no one is around — any person with basic knowledge can assist. Let's talk about such basic knowledge.

➢ Sprain — an injury of the muscles or tendons that connect the muscles to the bone due to overexertion.

Signs and symptoms:

- joint or muscle pain,

- swelling and bruising,

- redness of the injured area,

- problems with the mobility of the injured part.

Actions to be taken:

• In case of a sprain, the injured area should be relaxed until it becomes less painful.
• Apply ice or something cold, wrapped in cloth, to the damaged part (but do not apply cold to open skin, be sure to make a fabric layer). Apply a cold compress for no more than twenty minutes between four and eight times per day.
• Compress the injured area with a stretchy fabric, but not too tight. It is better to wear an elastic bandage for at least two days.
• Raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce swelling.
• Take the appropriate medicine to relieve pain and swelling.
• Do not use warm compresses — heat will increase blood flow.
• Do not drink alcohol — it can also increase blood flow and swelling.
• Avoid strenuous exercise — running or exercising increases blood flow, delaying healing.
• Do not massage the injured area — massage increases swelling and blood flow, may increase bruising, and can slow recovery.

Be sure to consult a doctor if:

• severe pain when touching the stretched area or moving it,
• the problems with motor functions are observed,
• numbness or tingling sensation is present,
• if the limb looks deformed,
• if there are signs of infection (high temperature, redness, swelling, and pain),
• if there is no improvement in the patient's condition in 5-7 days after injury.

➢Tear of tendons and ligaments — a trauma of soft tissues connecting muscles and joints.

Signs and symptoms: pain, swelling, a sense of a pop when the tissue tears.

Actions to be taken: Follow the same recommendations as at a sprain. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor. A sprain can be cured within a few days, but a rupture may require surgery aid. The easiest way is to prevent serious health consequences at the initial post-traumatic stage.

➢ Dislocation — an injury in which bones are displaced from their natural position. The cause is usually an injury because of a fall, a car accident, or a collision with something (someone) moving. A dislocation usually affects the larger joints of the body. In adults, the most frequent place of injury is shoulders and fingers, and in children —  elbows.

Signs and symptoms: The injury temporarily deforms and paralyzes the joint, which can lead to sudden and severe pain and swelling. A dislocation requires immediate medical assistance to return the bones to their natural position.

Actions to be taken:

• Do not neglect medical help, and do not postpone a visit to the doctor.
• Immobilize the joint: apply a splint if possible.
• Do not try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place because such actions can damage the joint itself and the surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
• Apply ice (or something cold) on the injured joint (there should be a fabric layer between the "cold" and the skin). This will help to reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding and fluid accumulation in and around the injured joint.

➢ Meniscus tear and knee injuries.

The knee joint is reinforced on both sides by additional cartilages called "menisci" or crescentic cartilage. One of the most common knee injuries is meniscus rupture or dissection. A severe blow or rapid twisting can tear this cartilage, especially during weight-bearing exercises. Meniscal tears can also occur in the elderly due to overuse (wear and tear).

Signs and symptoms: Swelling, pain, and inability to straighten the leg. Damaged cartilage can be surgically trimmed or even removed without causing joint instability.

Actions to be taken:

•  If a knee accident happens, first aid should be provided in the first 48-72 hours.
• If you feel "something wrong" with your knee, immediately stop your activity (physical exercises, physical work (load on the joint), etc.).
• The essential aspect of first aid for an acute knee injury is compression. This will help reduce swelling. Wrap an elastic bandage around the knee, starting below the joint and ending just above it. The dressing should be as tight as possible but not stop the blood flow in tissues at the site of the injury. Compression should be maintained around the clock to minimize internal bleeding or swelling. Numbness, tingling, or increased pain may be the signs that the bandage is too tight.
• Reduce pain, swelling, and internal bleeding with ice or something cold for no more than 15 minutes every couple of hours.
• Swelling in the knee can be reduced by keeping the knee elevated. Place your foot on a chair or pillow above thigh level. This is especially important in the first few hours. It is recommended to keep the leg as high as possible for the first 24 hours after knee trauma.
• Do not apply warming compresses or massage the knee because it can cause bleeding and swelling.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.

Minor injuries to the knee can heal on their own. But do not forget that trauma should be examined by a doctor (to avoid worsening and make the correct diagnosis). Prompt medical care for any knee injury increases the chances of a full recovery.

➢ A fracture —  is damage to a bone with a violation of its integrity. If the broken bone pierces the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures are usually caused by car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which causes bone fragility.

The signs and symptoms of a fracture depend on which bone is damaged, the person's age, overall health, and the severity of the injury. However, most often, they are:

- pain,

- swelling,

- bruise,

- discolored skin around the affected area,

- bending —  the damaged area can be bent at an unusual angle,

- it is not possible to lean on the injured area or move it,

- if it is an open fracture, bleeding is possible.

Actions to be taken:

• Call emergency services (ambulance)  or help get to the emergency room if this happens to someone.
• Do not move the injured area: If you suspect a broken neck or back, try to remain completely still. If the fracture is in one of the limbs, fix this area with a splint or a bandage.
• Apply a cold pack to the affected area: wrap an ice pack or something "cold" in a piece of cloth and apply it to the affected area for 10 minutes.
• Try to calm down the person to whom this happened: help him to take a comfortable position, encourage him, and cover him with a blanket or clothes to keep him warm.

Please consult a doctor with any injury. First aid is good, but do not forget that only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.

Elastic and immobilizing bandages for injured limbs TM MedTextile help treat fractures and traumas. They can be purchased at pharmacies in your city.