Untitled Quiz

Musculoskeletal Trauma Overview

• Musculoskeletal injuries affect muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other components of the musculoskeletal system.
• A WHO report suggests nearly 1.71 billion individuals globally suffer from musculoskeletal conditions.
• Musculoskeletal injuries are categorized into trauma, overuse, inflammation/infection, and degenerative conditions.

Causes of Musculoskeletal Injuries

• Trauma: Injuries from sudden impacts or accidents, including fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains, often occur during sports, falls, or car accidents.
• Overuse: Injuries develop gradually from repetitive motions or prolonged stress on a body part. Examples include tendinitis, bursitis, and stress fractures. Common in athletes, musicians, and those in physically demanding jobs.
• Inflammation and Infection: Inflammation of the musculoskeletal system can arise from autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis) or infections (like septic arthritis). Symptoms include joint swelling, pain, and limited movement.
• Degenerative Conditions: Conditions like osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease result from the natural wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system. They cause joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Objectives of Musculoskeletal Injury Management

• Recognizing and managing dislocations
• Recognizing and managing Soft Tissue Injuries
• Recognizing and managing Fractures

Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries

• Dislocation: A joint injury where ligaments are torn and the bone ends are no longer in contact. Commonly involves stretching or tearing ligaments.
• Sprains: Stretching or tearing of ligaments surrounding a joint (Wrist, Knee, Ankle). Often caused by sports-related injuries, slips, trips, or falls.
• Strains: Stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Often from overexertion in sports activities. Signs include swelling, ecchymosis (bruising), pain on movement, and limited range of motion (ROM).
• Fractures: A break in the bone or cartilage. Fractures can be complete or incomplete and categorized by whether the skin is broken (open/compound).

Dislocations - Management

• Common locations: Lower limb (ankle, knee, hip); Upper limb (shoulder, elbow, fingers).
• Assessment: Conduct primary and full secondary assessments. Evaluate pain, pulses, motor/sensory function, and thoroughly check the injury area.
• Management: Provide pain relief. Immobilize injuries in a comfortable position. For shoulder dislocations, use supportive slings. If a threatened limb, try repositioning it to obtain a pulse distal to the injury and splint in that position.

Sprains - Management

• Degrees: Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate), Grade 3 (severe). These describe the severity of ligament damage.
• Signs and symptoms: Swelling, ecchymosis (bruising), pain during movement, and inability to bear weight can indicate different degrees of sprains
• Treatment: R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) can help manage symptoms

Strains - Management

• Causes: Stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, often from sports or overexertion.
• Signs and symptoms: Swelling, ecchymosis/bruising, pain on movement, decreased ROM, and inability to bear weight.
• Treatment: R.I.C.E. method.

Fractures - Management

• Types: Open (compound), closed (simple), complicated, comminuted, greenstick, spiral, oblique, transverse, stress/compression, epiphyseal.
• Assessment: Important findings to note: Pain, tenderness, loss of power, swelling, deformity, irregular movement, unusual movement, crepitus, and hemorrhage.
• Management: Splinting is important for fracture treatment, to prevent further injuries or blood loss, reduce pain, and facilitate transport. An effective splint must firmly support the injured limb, immobilize joints above and below the fracture site.

Important Assessment Points

• 5 P's: Pain, Pallor, Paresthesia, Pulses, Paralysis
• Use a mnemonic like "Poor Tired Susie Died Under Chloroform Help" to remember the symptoms.

Treatments

• R.I.C.E: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) can help with pain and inflammation.
• Immobilization: Splints, casts, or braces can be used to immobilize injured areas to allow for healing
• Surgery: Depending on the severity, surgery may be necessary.

Soft Tissue Injuries - Management

• Management of soft tissue injuries includes ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), pain relief, and application of the RICE method.
• Distinguishing between a sprain and a strain may be difficult at the site.
• Transport of the injured person for further treatment may be necessary.