Fractures

Notes

Altered sensation, loss of a pulse or cold/pale skin in a limb that is fractured or dislocated are indicators of heart or brain compromise, which constitutes a limb threatening injury and is time critical. 

The general principles of reducing a fracture are:

Provide  Pain Relief

Apply traction and gentle counter-traction in the line of the limb. This should reduce most fractures.

If required, further manipulation should be done whilst the limb is still under traction.

Splint the limb following reduction

The general principles of relocating a dislocation are:

Provide Pain Relief

Apply sustained traction in the longitudinal direction away from the joint

Have an assistant providing counter-traction above the site of injury