Providing first aid for injuries of the knee joint and lower leg

General rules for applying splints

• The splint must be prepared before the application procedure begins. It will be impossible to adjust the tire parameters during the process (more precisely, it is possible, but dangerous).
• Immobilization is carried out in such a way that two nearby joints (above and below the fracture) are immobilized (fixed).
• If possible, cotton wool or gauze should be placed under the tire (along its entire length).
• If the nature of the injury allows, the limb should be brought to a position in which the muscles are least tense.
• For closed fractures, splints are applied directly to clothing and shoes.
• In case of an open fracture, it is strictly forbidden to change the position of the bone fragments.

Artificial respiration and chest compressions

Artificial ventilation

First of all, you should make sure that the airway is open and eliminate mechanical causes that impede breathing. To perform artificial lung ventilation using the mouth-to-mouth method, you must:

• position yourself to the right of the victim;
• lay the victim on his back, unbutton tight clothing;
• place a cushion under your shoulder blades to tilt your head back better;
• clean the mouth and throat of foreign bodies and mucus;
• to improve airway patency and prevent tongue retraction, tilt your head back, push your lower jaw forward and open your mouth;
• cover your mouth with gauze or a handkerchief;
• squeeze the wings of the nose with your fingers;
• take a deep breath, tightly clasp your lips around the victim’s mouth (nose) and with little effort blow air into the lungs.

The frequency of blowing is 14-15 per minute for adults, 20 for children, 30 for newborns. In adults, air must be blown in with such force that the chest expands. In children, insufflation is used with less force. For newborns, insufflation is performed simultaneously through the nose and mouth. When air is blown in, the victim’s chest rises; to create a passive exhalation, his head is turned to the side. Every 5-6 breaths it is necessary to check for a pulse in the carotid artery. Artificial ventilation is carried out until spontaneous breathing is restored.

Indirect cardiac massage

When breathing stops, the victim may stop cardiac activity. The person providing assistance is positioned to the left of the victim. The purpose of the massage is to create artificial blood circulation by rhythmically squeezing the heart between the sternum and the spinal column. In this case, the blood is pushed out of the heart into the arteries; after the compression stops, the heart (ventricles) straightens, and the blood returns back through the veins. Indirect cardiac massage technique

• the person providing assistance is positioned to the left of the victim
• The patient is placed on a hard surface on his back
• a strong blow with a fist is applied to the lower part of the sternum (just above the xiphoid process), in some cases this is enough to restore the heart rhythm
• The palms of both hands, one on top of the other, are placed on the lower sternum, the right palm is on top
• produce jerky pressure on the sternum (up to 60 per minute)
• pressure is applied with straightened arms, tilting the torso forward to provide sufficient force, while the sternum should move towards the spine by 4-5 cm

When performing chest compressions in infants, pressure is applied to the sternum with the tip of a finger or the thumbs of one hand. In infants, the frequency of compressions on the sternum is 100-120 per minute. Indirect cardiac massage is always performed together with artificial ventilation. If resuscitation is carried out by one person, then after every 15 pressures on the sternum, he should stop the massage and take 2 strong, quick breaths “from mouth to mouth”. If it is performed by 2 people, then 1 injection into the lungs should be made after every 5 pressures on the sternum. The person performing artificial respiration monitors the reaction of the pupils and the pulse. Resuscitation measures are effective if: a pulse appears, the pupils constrict, a reaction to light appears, pallor of the skin, cyanosis decreases, spontaneous breathing is restored. It makes sense to carry out resuscitation for 3-4 minutes if there is no resuscitation brigades and special equipment.

How to use a splint on different parts of the body

Let's consider the rules of first aid for fractures depending on the area of ​​injury.

Hand and fingers

In this case, a wire bus is used. The length is selected from the fingertips to the elbow joint. The arm should be carefully bent at a right angle (at the elbow). The tire is placed on a flat surface, and the hand is lowered from above. Next, the splint is fixed with a bandage, and the hand is suspended on a scarf.

Forearm

Use a wire or solid tire. The length is selected based on the following calculation: the upper third of the shoulder (above the elbow) – the base of the fingers. The hand is bent at a right angle, a small amount of cotton wool or gauze is placed in the fingers, which the victim should lightly squeeze with his fingers. The splint is applied to the outer surface of the arm and bandaged. The hand is fixed with a scarf.

Shoulder

A wire bus at least a meter long is used. The size is selected as follows: from the shoulder, across the back and to the base of the fingers of the opposite hand.

The injured arm is gently removed from the body, the elbow joint is bent at a right angle. A gauze roll should be placed in the armpit. A little more gauze or cotton wool should be placed in the palm of the hand (we lightly squeeze the victim with our fingers). The splint is placed along the back of the arm from the healthy shoulder through the back and to the base of the fingers. The splint is fixed with a bandage, and the arm is suspended on a scarf.

Ribs

Immobilization is done using a bandage or by wrapping the chest in a towel.

Foot and ankles

A wire splint is used, which is applied from the area just below the knee. The lower end of the tire is brought to the base of the fingers. The device is applied along the outer surface of the leg (the transition from the lower leg to the foot is formed at a right angle) and fixed with a bandage.

Shin

Two tires are used (wire or solid). One of them is applied on the outer surface of the leg, and the second on the back surface. An external splint is applied from the upper third of the thigh to the foot, where an L-shaped bend is made. Both devices are fixed with bandages.

Hip

Here you will need three tires: rear, outer and inner. Correctly installing such a structure can only be done with an assistant (or better yet, two), since the victim will have to be lifted (to place the rear tire). The outer tire is laid last. This is all fixed with bandages.

Pelvis

The victim is placed on a wooden board (moreover, all parts of the body are raised at the same time - this is difficult to do alone). A fabric cushion (from any available material) is placed under the knees. The hips are separated by approximately 25 cm, after which they are secured with a belt.

Spine

It also involves a wooden shield and a complex procedure for simultaneously lifting all parts of the body. A fabric cushion is placed under the fracture area (if the fracture is in the neck, a special collar or cotton-gauze structure is used).

Achilles tendon injuries.

The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the lower leg. In case of injuries to this part of the leg, a characteristic sign will be a crunching sound. The resulting injury of this kind makes it impossible to raise the heel and rise onto the toe; the lower part of the leg swells within an hour. A cold compress can relieve pain and slow down swelling. It is necessary to extend the toe of the foot, bend the leg slightly at the knee and secure the limb in this position so that both joints are motionless. It is good to bandage a solid bar, for example, a school ruler or part of a thin board, to the shin and the outer part of the foot. It is strictly not recommended to step on the injured leg, and if a rupture occurs, the patient should be taken to the hospital.

If there are open wounds on the lower leg, first aid is provided in the following order:

1. Clean the surrounding skin of dirt and, if possible, disinfect it.

2. Stop the bleeding with a homemade tourniquet or pressure bandage.

3. Apply clean gauze or a piece of cloth that you have on hand.

It is necessary to deliver a person to a medical facility quickly so that the hospital removes the tourniquet, which blocks access to the blood flow.

What not to do when immobilized

We have discussed in general terms how to provide first aid to a victim with fractures. Now, let's figure out how not to harm him.

Before immobilization, the victim should be checked for bleeding. If there is bleeding, first of all, you need to stop it.

After immobilization, your powers are over (even if you are a doctor, further work requires specialized conditions of a medical institution). This leads to an important conclusion: there is no need to try to set the bones. Also, do not try to carry the victim until the injured limb is fixed.

Frostbite

Frostbite is tissue damage caused by exposure to cold. They are observed both at low temperatures and at temperatures above zero degrees (1-5°C). In the development of frostbite, a significant role is played by: increased air humidity, wind force, wet clothing, excessive sweating of the skin, tight shoes, prolonged immobility, fatigue, malnutrition, shock, and the presence of alcohol intoxication.

Most often, frostbite affects the nose, ears, fingers and toes, and less often the knee joints and buttocks. During frostbite, two periods are distinguished: latent reactive periods. In the hidden, the effect of cold on the fabric continues. The victim notes a tingling sensation and slight pain. The skin in the area of ​​frostbite is cold, pale, and skin sensitivity decreases. These changes are associated with spasm of blood vessels and metabolic disorders. The reactive period begins after the tissues are warmed, i.e. after the cold ceases. During this period, signs of inflammation and necrosis appear, associated with the depth of tissue damage.

Actions to help:

• Warm the frostbitten area of ​​the body, restore blood circulation by warming, massaging until the skin turns red, becomes sensitive, and becomes able to move your fingers. Give the victim a warm drink.
• If within a few minutes the skin does not acquire a normal appearance, then it is necessary to place the affected part in warm water, followed by treating the skin with alcohol and applying an insulating bandage.
• If watery blisters appear on the body, cover them with a napkin (bandage) after treating with alcohol.
• Wrap the affected limb in a warm cloth, elevate it, and fix it, which will reduce swelling.
• Give me a painkiller.

When providing first aid, you should not: rub the affected areas with snow, lubricate them with greasy ointments, or warm them up intensively.

Electric shock

When electrocuted, the muscles begin to contract convulsively. This causes pain and muscle paralysis. Due to spasm of the vocal cords, the victim cannot call for help. If the current does not stop, then after a while loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest occurs. In addition, the passage of current leads to burns of the skin and internal tissues and blood clotting. The procedure for dealing with electrical injuries is as follows:

• turn off the power source
• evacuate the victim from the affected area
• if the heartbeat stops, start chest compressions
• After the pulse appears, place the victim on his side
• call an ambulance
• Monitor the condition of the victim; repeated cardiac arrest may occur.

Most popular models

The German company is a leader in the production of orthopedic products for fixing hand joints. The product range includes preventive or stabilizing bandages and orthoses, hand and wrist splints.

In addition to standard options for retainers, it offers a separate children's model range. Splints are made using new technology - using silver ions. Such threads have an additional antibacterial effect.

It is considered one of the most affordable fixatives. The company provides a large selection of orthoses for the thumb and hand. For example, you can buy a finger splint at a pharmacy for only 490 rubles.

features a large selection of children's braces for the wrist joint. Most of the models are unique and come in three sizes at once. Some splints additionally provide a massage and compression effect.

It is not recommended to select a hand restrainer yourself. For the greatest effect, products must be selected correctly - taking into account the material from which they are made, rigidity, goals, and the age of the patient. Only a doctor can help you determine these parameters. At the pharmacy you can only choose the size yourself and try on the retainer.

Contraindications for use

Contraindications to the use of a splint, especially when applying a splint to the thumb, are:

1. Impaired blood circulation as a result of ligation of large arterial vessels.
2. Anaerobic infection.
3. Phlegmon.
4. Gangrene.
5. Somatic disorders in older people.

It is technically quite difficult to use the latch correctly on your own. In addition, not everyone knows how to make a finger splint and the list of contraindications for its use. After making a diagnosis based on an x-ray, the splint must be applied by a specialist.

A temporary fixing bandage can be applied at home for a short period of time until you can get to a traumatologist or surgeon. Failure to do so may cause circulatory problems, joint damage, or skin infections.