First aid for a broken shoulder

Fracture of the bones of the upper limb is one of the most common injuries of the skeleton in humans. Hands play a huge role in human life, performing both intense power loads and numerous flexion, extensor, adduction, abduction, rotational movements, including fine motor skills. Therefore, in case of an unforeseen injury to the upper limb, it is important to know how to provide first aid to yourself or a stranger in order to prevent adverse consequences or disability as a result of an injury.

Anatomy

Anatomically, the upper limb consists of the shoulder girdle, that is, the shoulder girdle, and the free upper limb, which includes the shoulder, forearm and hand. Accordingly, the bone structures of the shoulder girdle on one side of the body: these are the scapula and collarbone; free upper limb: shoulder, bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), bones of the hand (wrists, metacarpals, phalanges of the fingers).

Traumatic injury to the upper limb is the most common among all injuries, it occurs as a result of a blow or fall on the arm. The latter can manifest itself as small abrasions of the skin, soft tissue bruises, and be accompanied by more serious injuries, fractures, fracture-dislocations of bones.

Shoulder fracture

Separately, it is necessary to note a fracture of the humerus, which can lead to dysfunction of the entire upper limb.

Humeral fractures, depending on the location on the bone, are divided into:

• proximal fracture (upper part) in the area of ​​the head, anatomical, surgical neck, tubercles of the humerus;
• diaphyseal (middle part of the body of the bone);
• distal (lower part) in the area of ​​the block, head, epicondyles of the outer and inner.

Also, fractures are intra-articular (often with damage to the articular bag, dislocation, displacement of the head of the humerus) and extra-articular, may be accompanied by detachment of tubercles, epicondyles. In this case, violations of the integrity of the skin, blood vessels, muscles and ligaments are not excluded.

Shoulder fracture symptoms

The main signs of any fracture, including a fracture of the humerus:

• pain;
• soft tissue swelling, bruising;
• deformation, curvature, unnatural position, shortening of the limb;
• restriction of movements, increased pain during movement;
• crunchy feeling when touched, moving.

It should be noted that not all signs may be present during examination of the victim. Therefore, assistance is provided according to the assumption of the possibility of a fracture.

First aid

The main steps to take when assisting a person who has been injured with a fracture of the humerus are:

• stopping bleeding;
• pain reduction;
• immobilization, fixation of the limb.

If there is a violation of the integrity of the skin, contamination of the wound, it is necessary to rinse the wound with clean water, apply a cotton-gauze bandage, in the absence of the latter – a clean, folded tissue several times. If there are signs of significant bleeding, it is advisable to press the blood supply vessel with your fingers for 20 minutes (people who have undergone special training can do it). To reduce pain, cold is used topically: ice wrapped in a cloth or bottles of cold water. Painkillers are preferably injected, under certain conditions, so this should be done by medical professionals.

Fracture fixation

Maintaining a stationary position (immobilization) of the injured limb is necessary to reduce pain, exclude additional trauma, and the ability to transport the victim to a medical facility. You can not try to straighten, straighten the limb. Immobilization of the limb is carried out with special tires, or with improvised means: a board, thick cardboard wrapped with cotton wool and gauze, soft material or cloth.

Cramer’s tire

If there is a Cramer splint, it is modeled on a healthy limb, three joints are fixed along the outer surface of the arm from the hand to the opposite shoulder blade, while the arm is bent at the elbow joint at an angle of 90 degrees, the palm with half-bent fingers is turned to the chest. It is necessary to put a roller of cotton wool or fabric in the armpit, and the same in the palm of your hand. Fixation with the help of spiral tours of the bandage from the brush up.

Improvised means

When using boards, sticks, branches or cardboard, the following conditions must be observed: one board, located on the inside of the shoulder, should be from the armpit on top; another board on the outside – above the shoulder joint; on the underside – improvised tires should protrude beyond the elbow joint. It is necessary to fix such tires above and below the fracture, placing a soft cloth or cotton wool under the boards.

kerchief bandage

The so-called kerchief bandage is performed using a piece of fabric, up to 150 cm wide, folded diagonally. It is brought under the forearm, and the free ends are tied around the neck. If there are no suitable means at hand, you can bend your arm at the elbow joint at a right angle, turn your palm with half-bent fingers to your chest and hang it with a bandage, scarf or hollow clothes.

Autoimmobilization

It is also possible to fix the shoulder to the body, with this method the forearm is hung on a scarf, or clothes are used.

In the future, consultation, examination, and possibly treatment of the victim in a medical institution are necessary.

Conclusion

Usually, first aid is provided at the scene of an accident or injury by those present, passers-by, often outside the medical facility. Therefore, after calling medical workers, the main task of first aid is to reduce pain and the likelihood of additional damage. Otherwise, subsequently, there is a risk of adverse consequences or disability.

It is desirable for everyone to know the basics of first aid for traumatic injuries, since at the right moment it can save someone’s life.

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