How to treat an open fracture of a leg

An open fracture is a serious enough damage to the bones, which is accompanied by destruction and nearby soft tissues. As a rule, the integrity of the bone is disrupted by falling, mechanical action, exceeding the load on this or that part of the body.

There are specific signs that characterize an open fracture. First of all, the symptoms differ in the place of localization. For example, with a fracture of the tubular bones, there is a significant shortening of the damaged limb, there is a sharp pain and increased mobility in the fracture zone. If an open fracture of the patella is fixed, then this area swells due to swelling and hemorrhage, the supporting function of the body is broken, it is impossible to flex or unbend the leg painlessly. With a fracture of the foot, there is also swelling and an increase in size, pain during movement.

Of course, an open leg fracture requires immediate medical assistance to the victim. This depends on the final result of treatment and restoration of damaged bone. First of all, you should reduce pain with analgesic drugs. Further, be sure to ensure peace and immobility of the damaged part of the limb. To do this, it is advisable to use various improvised materials, if there is no special tire. These are wooden slats, sticks, cardboard and other dense materials that will help fix a broken leg. For example, if a person has received an open fracture of the shin, the tire is superimposed on the area of injury. It is very important to fix it correctly, using dressings or usual strips of clean tissue. Note that the tire is applied only to the bare limb, pretreated with an open fracture with disinfectant and antiseptic means (iodine, alcohol, cologne, streptocide), which makes it impossible to penetrate the infection into the wound. Do not indulge in self-correction of bones at home, the limb must be fixed in the position in which it is after injury.

Very often the victim has a strong bleeding, which should be stopped in time to prevent large blood loss. As a rule, the best option is the application of a tight bundle or bandage. Preliminary determine the nature of bleeding. It is venous and arterial. Arterial blood has a bright scarlet shade, and it flows with jerks. To stop it, you need to transfer the artery above the damage zone for 1-1.5 hours. Venous blood has a dark red color, and flows out smoothly. In this case, the dressing is applied below the damage area.

After providing first aid , specialists should be consulted immediately, since it is necessary to correctly position the bone fragments for proper intergrowth. Currently, various metal elements (plates, nails) are used, which allow to accelerate the process of healing and recovery of the body.

The most common complications after receiving an open fracture are the impaired blood circulation and the motor function of the limb. In addition, the age of the patient is of great importance, since at a young age the bones coalesce faster than in the elderly. Over the years, calcium is washed out of the bones, and they become more fragile, which leads to increased traumatic danger even with a slight impact or pressure on the bone. Therefore it is necessary to be very careful, especially in winter on slippery roads.