Prevention of sprains and dislocations: elastic bandage and more

Do you know what DESMURGY is???

Desmurgy - (from the Greek desmos - bandage, ergon - business) a section of general surgery that studies various types of dressings.

This science, as you understand, is thousands of years old - ever since something human awoke in primitive man and he wanted to help himself and his fellow tribesman heal their injury faster. Let me clarify, something more advanced than simple licking - for example, I tried to tie a stick to a broken limb.

Since then, desmurgy has come a long way of improvement, divided into 2 stages - up to antiseptic and antiseptic, modern, when people learned something about pathogenic bacteria and learned to prevent them from entering wound surfaces.

The bandages themselves were also improved - both the technique of applying them and the very material from which they were made. First, knitted bandages appeared, and then an elastic bandage.

Elastic bandages are a rather complex product created for repeated use. Using various technologies, an elastic thread, such as latex, is wrapped in a single or double layer of cotton or synthetic thread. And from these “threads” the bandage itself is woven.

However, before you buy or wrap an elastic bandage, carefully study its packaging: elastic bandages, in addition to length and width, have different degrees of elongation - low, medium and high. These elastic bandages are used in various situations:

• Low-extensibility bandages (extensibility of at least 30%) are used to treat complicated forms of chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis; provide quick application of bandages when providing first aid; provide convenient and reliable fixation of dressings on affected areas of the body.
• Medium extensibility bandages (extensibility of at least 100%) are used for the treatment of varicose veins, diseases with trophic complications, and for the treatment of postphlebitis syndromes. Recommended for maintaining soft tissues after plaster removal and compression sclerotherapy.
• Highly tensile bandages (extensibility of at least 150%) are used for the treatment of varicose veins of I and II degrees, for the treatment of lipodermic diseases; used in the postoperative period for lymphedema, to maintain joints at rest after injuries and operations; recommended for bandaging bedridden patients.

No. 1. Prevention of sprains: simple rules

People who play sports often experience muscle strains. Under the influence of excessive loads, the muscle is stretched, separated from the tendons, and the tissue is damaged. This happens when doing flexibility exercises, when running and even when walking.

To avoid sprains and protect the ankle from arthrosis, you must:

• fix the problem muscle with an elastic bandage during a potentially dangerous period;
• before training, pay special attention to warming up;
• increase the load gradually and give the muscles time to recover - take days without exercise;
• additionally train flexibility - consult a specialist which exercises will be the safest for you;
• monitor your posture, since sprains often occur due to improper load distribution;
• add enough calcium, magnesium and iron to your diet;
• provide the body with enough moisture to keep the muscles elastic.

Elastic bandage - good prevention of muscle strains

Advantages and disadvantages

Thanks to this structure, elastic bandages have undeniable advantages over traditional gauze bandages. After all, they:

• do not deform after the first application;
• evenly fit anatomical curves;
• do not slip from the dressing site and do not stretch;
• can be used repeatedly;
• provide reliable fixation (tight bandage);
• easy to remove.

There are 7 established sizes of elastic bandages. To fix joints, it is better to choose elastic bandages, whose length varies from 1 to 3 meters. If you need to apply a bandage to the entire lower or upper limb, then elastic bandages 3 to 5 meters long are needed. The width of these bandages is standard (7.5 - 10 centimeters).

Along with this, elastic bandages, if applied incorrectly, quickly unwind, excessive compression leads to circulatory disorders, and it is more difficult to put shoes on a leg bandaged with such a bandage. They should not be used to bandage wounds.

#2: Preventing Dislocations: What Can You Do?

Dislocation is the displacement of bones in a joint relative to each other. The injury does not pose a serious health risk, but it can also cause future damage to your joints. Due to the incorrect location of the bones, the cartilage surfaces are subject to additional stress and wear out faster. Cracks form on them, and pain occurs upon contact.

To minimize the risk of dislocations, follow these tips:

• do not engage in traumatic sports, such as football, which most often provokes dislocations in players;
• warm up every day and strengthen your muscles and ligaments;
• choose shoes with hard soles and avoid slippers that do not provide stability;
• train the stability and coordination needed to prevent sprains by jumping rope;
• If you have an injury, do not reset the dislocation yourself.

Any injury is a reason to seek help from an orthopedist or traumatologist

Why is compression therapy with an elastic bandage necessary?

The essence of compression therapy is to create distributed pressure on the body. Compression is provided using elastic bandages, compression garments and hardware. The elastic medical bandage "Intex" is a tape made of latex, cotton and polyester fiber. Latex provides the tape with stretch and compression properties, cotton provides softness, and polyester fiber provides strength and durability during washing.

A properly applied elastic bandage applies 100% pressure to the ankle or wrist, decreasing to 70% as it moves toward the hip or shoulder. Distributed pressure eliminates swelling, pain and heaviness in the legs, cramps, reduces trophic ulcers, and prevents thrombosis of superficial and deep veins.

Classification and types of bruise

There are different types and degrees of bruises based on the location of the damage and the severity of the injury .

By localization

Depending on which part of the leg was hit, bruises of the soft tissues of the hip, knee, ankle joint or fingers are distinguished. Each of them, despite the general symptoms, has its own characteristics.

The thigh rarely swells when soft tissue is bruised, although bruises on the thigh are not uncommon. Swelling mainly affects the distal segments of the legs: lower leg and foot. Liquid accumulates in the vascular and intercellular space.

The most common injury is knee bruise , in which there is a risk of damage to the ligament and the development of complications.

Bruised fingers often lead to deformation of the nail plate, which takes a very long time to recover.

A shin bruise is the most painful, due to the fact that the tibia is equipped with a large number of vessels that are damaged at the time of injury. This leads to the formation of a subperiosteal hematoma, pronounced edema, and if the wound becomes infected, there is a risk of developing an inflammatory process in the bone tissue - periostitis.

By severity

Bruises are classified according to severity into:

• Light (grade 1). Minor soft tissue damage is observed;
• Average (2nd degree). Accompanied by severe pain, the development of hematoma and slight swelling. Possible muscle rupture;
• Moderate to severe (grade 3). Typical tendon ruptures or sprains, as well as joint damage;
• Severe (grade 4). A distinctive feature is impaired functionality in a certain area of ​​the leg. Serious complications, including disability, are possible.

Areas of use of polymer immobilization

A polymer bandage can completely replace plaster in the treatment of fractures. This is an innovative material that significantly surpasses gypsum in its parameters.

In addition to fractures, it can be applied to dislocated joints to ensure their immobility, sprained ligaments and muscles. Thanks to its properties and proper use, this material allows you to:

• reduce rehabilitation time after fractures and injuries;
• create comfortable conditions for accelerated healing;
• facilitate the treatment of fractures and other injuries.

The recovery period with the use of a polymer bandage is faster and causes significantly less discomfort than a traditional cast.

Treatment of a leg bruise

The specialist prescribes treatment based on the complexity of the injury. Minor bruises can be treated at home by applying ice on the first day and applying warm compresses on subsequent days.

If there are wounds (scratches and abrasions), painkillers and protective plasters .

A more serious leg bruise requires the use of physiotherapeutic methods (UHF and electrophoresis) and the use of medications to resolve the bruise and prevent the formation of ossification.

Surgery

Surgical treatment is possible only for complex bruises that lead to damage to joints and nerves.

Indications for surgery are:

• Suppuration of the hematoma;
• Ligament rupture or separation from the attachment site;
• Intra-articular hemorrhage;
• Damage to nerve endings.

During surgery, the surgeon stitches ligaments or nerve endings , removes blood clots from the joint cavity, opens festering bruises, and also performs other manipulations as necessary.

Drug treatment

The doctor may prescribe warming ointments to the victim:

• Finalgon;
• Capsicam;
• Traumeel;
• Diclofenac;
• Ibuprofen;
• Voltaren;
• Lyoton gel;
• Troxevasin;
• Heparin ointment.

It is important! The products are applied with careful circular movements, barely touching the skin. Rough rubbing can cause a blood clot to form.

Folk remedies and recipes

An alcohol warming compress is the best way to speed up the healing process of injured tissue after a bruise .

Gauze is soaked generously in vodka or alcohol tincture and applied to the affected area 2-3 times a day, covered with plastic wrap and a warm piece of cloth (towel, blanket, scarf).

How to relieve swelling

In case of severe swelling, it is necessary to apply elastic bandages . The leg should be bandaged 2-3 times a day, after applying a absorbable gel (Lioton, Heparin ointment, Hepatrombin, Vental or Troxevasin).

If extensive edema forms, the doctor may prescribe phlebotonics (Troxevasin, Detralex, Aescusan, or Normoven). A cabbage leaf applied to the bruised area helps a lot

Bandaging techniques

In professional boxing, there are two main methods of wrapping bandages - classic and “cross”.

The classic method is considered simple and is more suitable for beginners. Algorithm of actions:

1. Place your thumb in the loop. This is where the winding begins.
2. Next, the bandage is wrapped around the wrist, moving to the thumb, in order to secure it in one movement.
3. After this, the bandage is wrapped around the striking surface, smoothly moving towards the inside of the hand.
4. Then the knuckles are wrapped.
5. At the end, it is recommended to wind the remaining length in a place where the brush is poorly protected.
6. Finally, the bandage is secured with Velcro or a special design.

Winding the bandage in a “cross” is considered a more advanced method, because the blows are harder and stronger due to the tighter protection of the hand. The essence of the method is to treat each joint. The algorithm of actions at the beginning and end of winding is the same as the classical method.

After the knuckles are wrapped, each finger (index, middle, etc.) is wrapped in a bandage. When wrapping, it is important that your fingers are widely spaced. Turns are made from the thumb. For additional fixation, after each turn on the fingers there is a turn in the wrist area.

Stockings... bandages... That's the question!

Products made from compression material are most often prescribed for the complex treatment of dilated vessels, thrombophlebitis, during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as after surgery.
The dense fabric of the underwear puts effective pressure on the venous system and compensates for muscle weakness. In the lower part of the legs, the pressure should be the highest, at the knee a little weaker, and on the hips even weaker - this is necessary so that the blood flow functions correctly and the blood cannot stagnate in the lower extremities.

When a patient comes to the doctor with complaints, the true cause of the illness is determined. If the patient needs to create additional compression and maximum pressure at the lower leg, socks are prescribed; if it is necessary to create pressure above the knee, the doctor may recommend wearing stockings or tights.

Rehabilitation period

The recovery period depends on the degree of damage to internal tissues, the physiological characteristics of the body, as well as compliance with bed rest and doctor’s recommendations.

Minor bruises do not require rehabilitation and go away on their own in a few days.

After receiving more serious injuries, the patient will need a long time to restore full functionality of the leg. In especially severe cases, the patient is bedridden, and during the period of rest the muscles atrophy and require special development.

To speed up the recovery process, you will need the help of a qualified specialist who will assess the condition of the muscles, joints and ligaments, after which he will prepare a set of exercise therapy , massage and physiotherapeutic procedures, including UHF and electrophoresis.

Photo 2. Massage helps improve blood circulation and accelerate injury healing. : Flickr (Adnilza Oliveira).

Symptoms and signs of bruise

Bruises are accompanied by:

• Formation of bruising;
• Minor or intense pain, depending on the location. The most painful injuries are to the fingers and knees;
• Swelling, which over time can take the form of edema;
• Impaired functionality of joints;
• Difficulties in movement.

Note! The size of the hematoma is affected not only by the force of the blow, but also by the condition of the vessels and the fragility of the capillaries.

Differences from fracture

The symptoms of closed fractures and severe bruises are similar, so they are easy to confuse. The difference is that with a bruise there is no disruption of the bone structure . Only the skin, muscle tissue and periosteum are susceptible to injury.

It is important! As edema develops, there may be limited mobility in the injured area of ​​the leg. This does not indicate a fracture, but often indicates damage to the joints.

You can distinguish a fracture from a bruise using axial load syndrome . It is necessary to invite the victim to lean on the sore leg or tap on the heel. Sharp pain indicates a possible fracture.

In what cases should this remedy be used?

Dressing material is used in different situations. Typically, this material is a preventive measure for knee injury or impairment. However, there are other cases where elastic bandages are used. Of course, the decision about the need to apply a bandage is made by the doctor. This remedy is prescribed in the following cases:

• orthopedic diseases;
• swelling;
• sports injuries;
• thrombophlebitis;
• bruises and dislocations.

The doctor recommends applying bandages not only for injuries, but also for various diseases (arthrosis, arthritis, synovitis). They can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Bandages help relieve or reduce pain and reduce stress on the knees.