[For Further Clarification]
I. Symptoms of fractures (see Application Volume (3) 25P *22P)
1. Systemic symptoms
(1) Shock: caused by psychic shock on injury and pain. Worsening of the state of shock overtime indicates persistent massive bleeding or visceral injury.
(2) Fever: a fever not exceeding 38｡?ppears for a few days after fracture. A fever is caused by absorption of the bleeding, but a fever of 38｡?r higher or a fever persisting for more than a week indicates an infection.
2. Symptoms at the fracture site
(1) Pain: besides spontaneous pain and pain on motion, tenderness appears at the fracture site. Compression or percussion of the bone along its longitudinal axis causes pain at the fracture site (called percussion pain).
(2) Swelling: heat sensation occurs at the fracture site and swelling is more severe than that with contusion. The skin may be severely strained and shiny, and blisters may appear after 1-2 days.
(3) Deformity: shortening of extremities, abnormal curvature, torsion, etc. are seen.
(4) Subcutaneous ecchymosis: this is seen at the fracture site 2-3 days after injury, but may appear away from the fracture site.
(5) Functional disorder
(6) Crepitation: When the site of fracture is pressed or moved, a cracking sound produced by contact of the edges of the fractured bones feels at the hand. Do not, however, do this excessively to determine the presence or absence of a fracture.
II. Treatment of an open fracture (see Application Volume (3) 24P *26P)
III. Usage of a splint and fixation method (see Application Volume (3) 26P *35P)
1]Select a slightly large splint corresponding to the size of the fractured hand or leg.
2]Wrap the splint with cloth, gauze, or a bandage so the solid splint does not contact the soft part of the body directly.
3]Apply the metallic splint to the affected region and bend it to an angle required.
4]Fix a wide area that covers two joints on the central and peripheral sides of the fracture site.
5]Put cotton between the skin and the splint to avoid contact with the solid splint. Put cotton wrapped with gauze (cotton for the splint) on the ankle, heel, and elbow.
6]Apply a bandage in rolls without excessive tightness or looseness.
7]To ascertain whether the blood circulation is good or poor, keep the hands and legs including toes exposed.
