Injuries of the lower extremities: types and first aid

The lower limbs are constantly exposed to heavy loads and hazardous factors. Their injuries are the most common among all injuries to the musculoskeletal system. These can range from ordinary bruises and skin damage to dislocations, muscle tears and serious fractures.

Leg injuries are rarely life-threatening, but are always characterized by sharp, severe pain and can lead to disability. Timely and competent assistance will help shorten the recovery period, as well as prevent serious inevitable consequences for the musculoskeletal system.

Let's look at the most common injuries of the lower extremities, their characteristic symptoms, and how you can help the victim before the medical team arrives.

Femoral neck fracture

This injury is typical for older people, most often women. It can occur when you fall or get a minor injury. Such a fracture often occurs due to the presence of osteoporosis in the victim. Surgery is often required within a year of the fracture. If the operation is not performed, the injury leads to a recumbent lifestyle and death.

The following symptoms indicate injury:

At rest, the pain syndrome is not severe. It can only occur when moving.
Tapping the heel causes pain in the groin or thigh.
The shape of the hip may change. The leg on the side of the injury is slightly shortened due to the displacement of the bone.
When you try to roll over, you can hear a crunching sound at the site of the hip fracture.

First aid consists only of pain relief and ensuring immobility of the lower part of the body. To prevent painful shock and relieve panic in the victim, any analgesics are suitable. However, remember that older people may have concomitant diseases and allergies to certain drugs. If the person is conscious, find out which pills are contraindicated for him.

The injured limb must be immobilized by applying a splint. It can be made from a long stick or board. To avoid damage to the skin, it is recommended to wrap it in any soft cloth. From the outside, the splint should be applied starting from the armpit and ending at the ankle. On the inside of the thigh we apply it along the entire length of the leg, starting from the groin area.

Do not let the person make sudden movements. Transport only while lying down.

3. “Overworking” injuries

Leg injury, ankle injury, foot injury or toe injury can occur not only due to sudden exposure to some factors, but also when an activity is repeated too often and for a long time. “Overworking” injuries can be:

Bursitis
is an inflammation of the bursa (the mucous membrane of the bursa in the joint area). Bunions cause swelling and tenderness in the back of the heel and ankle. The pain usually gets worse when you wear shoes or do any physical activity on your feet. And during rest, the pain decreases.
Achilles tendonitis
(tendopathy) is an inflammation of the tissue in the area of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles and the heel bone;
Microcracks in the bone;
Plantar fasciitis
is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a broad, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot that runs from the front of the heel to the base of the toes and helps support the arch of the foot;
Metatarsalgia
is pain in the foot in the front part (metatarsal part of the foot).

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Pelvic fracture

A fracture of the pelvic bones is characterized by the fact that the victim is forced to be in the “frog” position (with legs bent to the side). Movement is significantly limited. Sharp pain in the pelvic area, which intensifies when you try to close or spread your legs. Often with such an injury a noticeable hematoma and significant swelling occurs.

A pelvic fracture can be complicated by damage to internal organs: the bladder, urethra. This is indicated by abdominal pain, blood in the urine, painful or uncontrollable urination.

Shock from pain and injury leads to an extremely serious condition for the victim. Before doctors arrive, it is necessary to reduce the pain syndrome with any painkillers. A cushion, which can be made from clothing or a blanket, should be placed under the basin. You can also tighten the pelvic area with a towel, but do not overdo it. This will help reduce possible internal bleeding and pain.

If it is necessary to move, transfer is possible only in the “frog” position. In this case, the person should be placed on a round hard object (shield). Transport only in a lying position.

2.Acute leg injuries

Severe damage and trauma to the leg can occur from a direct blow, penetrating injury, or fall, as well as twisting, jerking, getting caught, or abnormal bending of the limbs. The pain in the leg in this case can be severe and sharp. Bruising and swelling may occur soon after the injury. Acute leg injury can be different:

Bruises (contusions)
. After an ankle injury, bruising can spread all the way to the toes due to the effects of gravity.
Puncture wounds.
Puncture wounds to the legs can be caused by sharp objects - nails, tacks, knives, needles, animal teeth. A puncture wound to the leg increases the risk of infection because it is difficult to clean and the wound provides heat and high humidity, conditions conducive to the growth of bacteria. One of the common variants of infection is a foot wound when a puncture occurs through the sole of a shoe.
Injuries to the ligaments that
support joints;
Tendon injuries,
the most common of which is Achilles tendon rupture;
Joint injuries,
joint dislocations;
Crick.
The muscles of the foot and ankle may become sore due to strain. Severe stretching can lead to muscle rupture;
Bone fractures.
Most often this is a broken toe or broken ankle;
Bone dislocation
, dislocation - a condition when a bone is displaced from its normal location in relation to other bones. This can occur in the joints of the kneecap, hip, finger, elbow or shoulder;
Severe injuries
leading to compartment syndrome.

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Ankle fracture

How to recognize this type of lower extremity injury? First you should pay attention to the following symptoms:

Pain can occur both at the time of injury and several hours later. However, if you touch the injured area, you will experience severe, sharp pain. This sign is typical only for small fractures that occur without bone displacement.
Also, when palpating the ankle, a slight crunch is a reliable sign of a fracture. It is accompanied by severe pain.
Changes in the skin - swelling, swelling, bruising and loss of sensation.

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Providing first aid for bleeding

Rules for applying a tourniquet

The danger of such an injury is that if help is not provided, the victim will experience traumatic shock after a while. It is characterized by pale skin, pressure surges, and “heavy” breathing. To prevent this condition, the victim must be given analgesics. Immobilize the injured limb using any available means. To reduce pain, you can apply a cold compress or ice. Make sure that the person does not make sudden movements or try to get up.

If the fracture is open, cover the wound with a clean cloth. Apply a tourniquet above the injury in case of arterial bleeding. By placing a bolster under your foot, you will ensure an elevated position. It will reduce bleeding and reduce pain.

Trying to fix a broken ankle on your own is prohibited. Only a traumatologist can do this correctly.

Femur fracture

This type of injury is characterized by a state of shock. Usually it corresponds to 1-2 degrees of severity. Swelling, hematoma and deformation occur in the area of injury. Pain during exercise, blood supply deteriorates, which leads to a decrease in the temperature of the limb. When palpating the thigh, mobility of the bones or their fragments can be detected. Motor functions are completely impaired. On the foot, the pulsation of the arteries becomes worse.

First aid is to bring the person out of shock. To do this, analgesic therapy with medications and immobilization (immobilization) of the injured limb are carried out. Painful shock can cause heart rhythm disturbances. In this case, you can give the person heart medications (validol, motherwort).

Fixation should be carried out on 3 joints at once. We begin to apply the splint from the hip area, then we fix the knee joint, and end with the ankle joint. If there is nothing suitable for a splint at hand, then you can bandage the sore leg to the healthy one. The victim can only be moved using a rigid stretcher.

Emergency care for limb injuries

The main first aid measures for limb injuries are pain relief, immobilization, and, if necessary, stopping bleeding.

To anesthetize the site of injury when a limb is bruised, a bag of snow, ice, or cold water is used locally. If you have chlorethyl in your medicine cabinet, it is advisable to use it for local anesthesia. In case of sprain, cold is used locally. If the ligaments are torn, transport immobilization with a bandage and anesthesia with chloroethyl are performed. In case of fascia or muscle rupture, a pressure bandage should be applied to the injury site.

In case of dislocation, it is necessary to use cold or chloroethyl topically. The upper limb should be immobilized with a bandage or scarf; the lower limb can be immobilized by bandaging the injured leg to the healthy one or fixing it to improvised means (for example, to a board). Modern first aid kits should have standard scarves. You should absolutely not try to return the limb to its normal position or straighten it yourself; The victim must be taken to the emergency room.

If a limb is fractured, the fracture site is anesthetized with chlorethyl or cold is applied locally. In case of a fracture of the shoulder and hip, 3 joints are immobilized, and in case of a fracture of the tibia and forearm, the two closest to the fracture site are immobilized. For transport immobilization, you can also use standard tires or improvised means: boards, sticks, skis. It is advisable to use vacuum tires. In case of an open fracture, the edge of the wound must be treated with a 5% alcohol solution of iodine, covered with a sterile napkin and bandaged. To fix the fragments, the arm can be bandaged to the chest, and the lower limbs to each other. Among the medications for injuries, analgin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac are used for pain relief. To prevent painful shock when a limb is broken, you need to cover the victim and give him hot sweet tea to drink. If there are signs of blood loss, you need to lower your head and raise your uninjured limbs up.

Knowing the signs of various limb injuries and mastering first aid techniques, you can promptly and competently provide emergency assistance at the scene of an incident before the ambulance arrives, prevent dangerous complications and save a person’s life. Remember: victims with limb injuries must consult a traumatologist to provide qualified medical care and choose further treatment.

Dislocation of the lower leg

Dislocation means displacement or separation of the articular ends of bones. It can be complete or incomplete. It can be caused by a sudden movement, impact, injury, or movement outside the normal functioning of this joint.

The main features include:

Sharp, severe pain.
Limitation of mobility.
Swelling in the area of injury.
Deformation of the lower leg.

Only a doctor can adjust dislocations. Before going to the emergency room, it is recommended to fix the joint and apply ice.

Meniscus tear

The meniscus is a cartilage formation that is necessary to stabilize the knee joint. A diagnosis such as a meniscus tear is often made in athletes. However, such an injury is also possible in older people due to arthrosis. It occurs with sudden movement or constant flexion-extension of the knee.

When it is damaged, sharp pain and swelling occurs. Knee mobility is severely limited. In addition, the damaged area may feel hotter to the touch, and a clicking sound may be heard when moving. In young people, joint blockage may occur, making it impossible to change the position of the knee. A person may experience painful discomfort when using stairs or playing sports.

You can alleviate the condition with a cold compress, which is recommended to be kept for about half an hour. The knee joint should also be immobilized or its mobility limited. If the tear is not complete, an elastic bandage will do just fine. If you do not consult a specialist in time, an advanced meniscus tear may require surgery and a long period of rehabilitation.