Learn First Aid

• Section One: Introduction

  • Unit 1: What is First Aid?
  • Unit 2: Universal precautions and personal safety
  • Unit 3: How the body works

• Section Two: Basic Emergency Care

  • Unit 4: Emergency Scene Management
  • Unit 5: Casualty management and primary survey
  • Unit 6: The casualty who is not breathing normally
  • Unit 7: Choking
  • Unit 8: Wounds and bleeding
  • Unit 9: Shock
  • Unit 10: The recovery position
  • Unit 11: Head to Toe (secondary) survey
  • Unit 12: Ongoing casualty care
  • Unit 13: Moving the casualty

• Section Three: Accident Care

  • Unit 14: Near drowning
  • Unit 15: Burns and scalds
  • Unit 16: Soft tissue injuries: strains and sprains
  • Unit 17: Fractures and dislocations
  • Unit 18: Head and spinal injuries
  • Unit 19: Eye injuries
  • Unit 20: Poisoning
  • Unit 21: Bites and stings

• Section Four: Medical Emergency Care

  • Unit 22: Heart attack and angina
  • Unit 23: Stroke
  • Unit24: Fainting
  • Unit 25: Epileptic seizures
  • Unit26: Fever
  • Unit 27: Effects of heat and cold
  • Unit 28: Dehydration
  • Unit 29: Massive allergic reaction
  • Unit30: Asthma
  • Unit 31: Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
  • Unit 32: Emergency Childbirth
  • Unit 33: Common Infectious Diseases
  • Unit 34: HIV Aids

What is a fracture?

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Explain what a fracture is and what a dislocation is

2. Recognise a fracture and a dislocation

3. Tell the difference between an open fracture, closed fracture and dislocatio

4. Demonstrate treatment of a fracture

5. Explain what can be done to make crossinfection less likely

6. Demonstrate correct selection and use of dressings and bandages

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. A lot of force (strength) is needed to damage a bone, but in an older person or a person suffering with a disease that affects bone, much less force is required.

NEVER move the casualty unless it is safe to do so. We looked at when and how to move a casualty in Unit 13.

When bone breaks it may do so in many ways.

These are:
– Chip or crack.
– Clean break through the bone.
– Twist or split.
– Shatter or crumble.
When a bone breaks, surrounding tissue will also be damaged. In a simple fracture there might be very little damage to surrounding tissue but it is possible that the ends of the bone may stick out through the skin. In very bad fractures the bone ends may damage organs or major blood vessels.
A fracture where there is no open wound is called a closed fracture. A fracture where there is also an open wound is called an open fracture. The bone may or may not stick out through the skin.

After the break, if the bone ends can move, more damage to surrounding tissue may happen. This is called an unstable fracture. In this case, it is very important to try to prevent further damage from happening, by carefully handling and steadying and supporting the injured area.

What is a dislocation?

A dislocation is when the bones in a joint (where bones are joined together) are partly or completely pulled out of position. It happens most often in the shoulder, jaw, or joints in the thumb or fingers. The force that causes the dislocation may also injure the soft tissues around the joint, resulting in a strain or sprain (see Unit 16).
Joint dislocation can cause serious problems, particularly if major nerves are damaged, or if vertebrae (the bones of the spine) are dislocated. The dislocated bones may also fracture during the dislocation.
It is often difficult to tell the difference between a dislocation and fracture. If you are in any
doubt (i.e. do not know for sure), treat the injury as a fracture.

What can cause a fracture or a dislocation?

1. Being hit by a blow, for example by a car or a fist
2. A limb (an arm or a leg) being suddenly twisted (turned) or wrenched (hard twist or
   pull).