FRACTURE OF COLLARBONE
The clavicle fractures due to fall on the outstretched hand or on the tip of the shoulder. It is diagnosed by the presence of the following features.
1. Pain and tenderness at the site of injury increased by movement of the upper limb.
2. Reluctance of the victim to move the limb on the injured side.
3. He may be found to be supporting the arm on the injured side at the elbow to relieve pain.
First-aid
1. Place the victim in sitting position, with the limb on the injured side across the chest, the fingertips reaching the opposite shoulder.
2. Place a pad of gauze or cloth between the arm and chest on that side.
3. Support the limb in an elevation sling .
4. Shift him to a hospital.
□ FRACTURE OF ARM
It is caused by a direct blow but it is much more common, especially in the elderly. It is a stable injury. Hence the victim may walk around for sometime before reporting to a doctor for treatment. It is a difficult fracture to treat as the muscles produce overlapping of ends that are broken and angulation. The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
1. There is pain, increased by movement.
2. Swelling develops rapidly. Bruising may develop more slowly.
3. There is local tenderness, increased by movement.
First-aid
1. Place the victim in sitting position. Place the injured arm across his chest gently, if it is possible to do so.
2. Place soft padding between the arm and chest, and tie a broad-fold bandage around the chest over the sling.
3. Shift him to a hospital immediately.
□ FRACTURE OF ELBOW JOINT
These are quite common, resulting from a fall on the outstretched hand. This is an unstable injury. The broken ends of bone may move and damage surrounding blood vessels and nerves. The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
1. There is pain in the elbow, increased by movement.
2. There is tenderness over the site of the fracture.
3. If the head of radius is fractured, the elbow is stiff and it cannot be fully straightened.
4. Circulation in the forearm and hand may be impaired due to vascular injury.
5. There may be anesthesia and motor weakness in the hand due to injury to the nerves.
6. Swelling and bruising may be present.
First-aid
1. If the elbow can be bent, strap arm to the chest and support the forearm in a triangular sling.
2. If the elbow cannot be bent, place the victim in supine position. Place the injured limb by the side of the trunk. Do not attempt to bend the elbow forcibly. Place a soft padding between the injured limb and the body. Tie the injured limb to the body by three broad bandages over the wrist and thighs, around the forearm and trunk, and around the upper arm and trunk. Shift him to a hospital immediately on a stretcher.
3. Check the pulse at the wrist every 10 minutes.