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There are 206 bones in the human body. The skeleton holds our skin up, and bones act as factories for producing blood and essential blood cells through bone marrow. Bones are also integral to the body's strength.
Some bones have a protective function (skull), some a supporting function (pelvis), while others are for movement (fingers).
When a bone is broken, or fractured, it affects not only blood production and function, but there can be complications associated with the muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels that are attached, or are close, to the bone.
Fractures are generally classified as:
Immobilisation is the preferred way to manage fractured limbs as it helps reduce movement and the pain associated with fractures. Immobilise the limb with a natural splint, such as another part of the body, improvised splints, cardboard, wooden or air splints.
Fractures may be caused a number of ways:
Always exercise care when assessing an elderly casualty as the condition known as osteoporosis or 'Chalky Bones' causes bones to fracture easily, often in several places. Always suspect a fracture if an elderly person complains of pain or loss of power to a limb.
Be especially aware of fractures at the neck of the femur (near the hip), a very common fracture in the elderly.
Young children are also prone to fractures. Arm and wrist fractures are common with children. As young bones do not harden for some years, children's fractures tend to 'bend and splinter', similar to a broken branch on a tree – hence the common name 'greenstick fracture'.
Some bones have a protective function (skull), some a supporting function (pelvis), while others are for movement (fingers).
When a bone is broken, or fractured, it affects not only blood production and function, but there can be complications associated with the muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels that are attached, or are close, to the bone.
Fractures are generally classified as:
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Immobilisation is the preferred way to manage fractured limbs as it helps reduce movement and the pain associated with fractures. Immobilise the limb with a natural splint, such as another part of the body, improvised splints, cardboard, wooden or air splints.
Fractures may be caused a number of ways:
- Direct force; where sufficient force is applied to cause the bone to fracture at the point of impact.
- Indirect force; where force or kinetic energy, applied to a large, strong bone, is transmitted up the limb, causing the weakest bones to fracture.
- Spontaneous or spasm-induced; where fractures are associated with disease and/or muscular spasms.
Always exercise care when assessing an elderly casualty as the condition known as osteoporosis or 'Chalky Bones' causes bones to fracture easily, often in several places. Always suspect a fracture if an elderly person complains of pain or loss of power to a limb.
Be especially aware of fractures at the neck of the femur (near the hip), a very common fracture in the elderly.
Young children are also prone to fractures. Arm and wrist fractures are common with children. As young bones do not harden for some years, children's fractures tend to 'bend and splinter', similar to a broken branch on a tree – hence the common name 'greenstick fracture'.
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