Open fractures, i.e. where damaged bone breaks the skin, rarely occur. But if we are witnessing such an injury, there are a few important rules to know. They are shared by a sports orthopedist.
- First, we should stop the bleeding from an open wound
- Tie a tourniquet, a piece of cloth above the bleeding site— says the specialist.
- The wound is best covered with something sterile, if available. She must not be touched — warns
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Open fracture – how to help?
Dr. Krzesimir Sieczych, an orthopedist at the Carolina Medical Center, explains that when we witness an open fracture, we should first stop bleeding from an open wound. Apply pressure over the fracture.
—If we have a tourniquet, let’s put it on. If we do not have it, a piece of bandage, scarf, cloth is enough. Tie above the bleeding site. On the other hand, the wound itself, i.e. the place from which the bone protrudes, should be covered with something clean, preferably sterile, so that it does not become infected – says the specialist.
What to absolutely not do?
He also warns not to disinfect the wound and not to touch it “in such field conditions”.
– In hospital emergency departments and orthopedic departments, there are special protocols on how to deal with a given type of open fracture. It is standardized. It is better not to interfere without proper knowledge and medical equipment – the medic says.
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