BONE, JOINT, AND MUSCLE INJURIES-First Aid

First Aid for Muscle cramps

1. Have the victim stretched out the affected muscle to counteract the cramp
2. Massage the cramped muscle firmly but gently
3. Apply heat. Use a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in cloth
4. Get medical help if cramps persist

First Aid Muscle Strain (pulled muscle)

1. Apply cold compressor at once. Reapply every 3 to 4 hours for the first 24 hours.
2. Elevate the limb to reduce swelling and bleeding within the muscle.
3. Get medical help if the victim is in great pain or if a body part is not working properly

Some reminders

• If the muscle feels better after 24 hours, apply heat as often as possible for the next 3 to 4 days.
• Do not apply direct heat to skin.
• If the problem has not improved in 24 hours get medical help.
• A strained muscle should not be as long as it is painful.

First Aid for Sprain

1. Remove all clothing or jewelry around the joint.
2. Apply cold compress at once. Reapply them as often as possible.
3. Elevate the affected joint with pillow or clothing. Do not move the injured part for at least 24 hours.
4. The victim physician may recommend an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication (aspirin, ibuprofen) appropriate for the victim’s general health.

Dislocation of Broken Bone

1. General Information

· If a joint is overstressed, the bones that meet at that joint may get disconnected, or dislocated. When this happens there is usually a torn joint capsule and ligaments and often, nerve injury.

· If more pressure is put on the bone more than it can stand, it will fracture (slit or break). Open fractures (in which bone pierces the skin) can easily become infected.

· If an infant or toddler does not start to use an injured arm or leg within hours of an accident, or if he or she continues to cry when the injured areas is touched, assume the child has a broken bone, and get medical help.

· It is hard to tell a dislocation bone from a broken bone. Both are an emergency. The general aid steps are the same for both.