Instructions for first aid for children with broken bones

Children with fractures should be protected against shock, fix broken bones with braces and quickly transported to medical facilities.

Doctor Ngo Huu Hung, Deputy Dean of Hung Vuong General Hospital said that recently, the situation of children who suffered accidents due to serious injuries has been reported. Most cases go to the hospital when the first aid has not been treated, leading to a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, first-aid techniques in case of accidents are very important in stopping bleeding and treating patients' wounds.

Doctors recommend parents, teachers should be equipped with basic knowledge of first aid to help children in an accident. Accordingly, the steps for first aid for fracture victims are as follows:

• Take the victim out of the distress.
• Put the victim in a favorable position.
• Shock protection for victims (if any).
• Reveal the injured area, observe the assessment, determine the location of the injury.
• Cover the wound if there is a skin tear causing bleeding (open fracture).
• Fix the broken bone with a splint.
• Quickly transport the victim to the nearest medical facility.

How to fix broken bones.(Photo: BV)

Dr. Hung said that the purpose of first aid, fixed fracture is to help victims to relieve pain and prevent shock. Therefore, absolutely not mobilize the damaged part if not needed. Temporary fixation of fracture position reduces the risk of further damage to blood vessels, nerves, muscles, skin . In the case of an open fracture, bandage of the wound helps prevent infection.

Fixing principle of broken bone

• The brace must be long enough to immobilize the upper and lower joints below the fracture.
• Do not place the brace directly against the victim's skin, the brace of the head, the protrusions of the head of the bone must be lined with cotton, cloth and then put the brace.
• The splint must be fixed tightly to the injured limb into a block.
• The fixed buttons above or below the position of a broken joint, especially with the position of the femoral fracture, must be three joints.
• Immobilization follows the mechanical posture (lower limb stretching 180 degrees, elbows on the elbow 90 degrees).
• For open fractures, internal fractures: Must be immobilized in a fractured posture, without pulling, pressing the broken bone in the head. If there is an artery injury, you have to place a custom ring, after fixing the wound (open fracture).
• For closed fractures: Must be gentle, careful when making fixed. There must be a woman to pull the limb continuously with a constant force until it is fixed.
• Do not undress the victim. If you need to reveal a wound, cut the clothes in the way. If you have to undress, take off the healthy side first.
• After fixing, tie a diagonal towel to the neck for the upper limb, tie the two limbs together for the lower limb.
• Regularly increase the broken limb after fixing to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Quickly, gently transport the victim to the treatment facility, regularly observe the victim on the whole body, especially the periodic circulation below the fracture.

Tools for fixing fractures

• Splints: Wooden braces, thomas, Kramer splints, metal braces, steam braces . or splints depending on bamboo bars, wooden sticks, sticks .
• Tape: Big used to tie, hold the brace hugging the fixed body or strong cloth (upper limb uses three strings, the leg uses seven, the thigh uses 10).
• Cotton: Adipose cotton or soft cushion to cushion the splinters in contact with the bone and brace, can be replaced with a cloth or soft tissue.
• Cross scarf: For hanging hands.