For most of the Metro Atlanta area, there are only a few lingering patches of snow and ice to remind us of last week’s unplanned weeklong Winter vacation. However, some Atlantans are having to deal with much more than simple ice patches after venturing out last week. The day after the ice storm, at the Clinic, we saw 22 upper extremity fractures, mainly of the wrist and elbow. All of those cases had the same common theme that it was a fracture with pain and swelling from a fall on the ice.
Since Winter is nowhere near over, and chances are good that we could see some more slippery weather, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with handling injuries that occur from falling, regardless of whether the fall occurs on ice or any other surface:
After a fall, DO NOT MOVE UNTIL THESE CHECKS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED:
1. Check for any deformity in the affected area
a. Check for deformity of the bone – does the bone appear to be out of place
b. Check for any breaks in the skin
2. Check for pulses in the extremities to ensure that blood is flowing in the affected area
a. Check fingers and the nail bed color – squeeze the nail bed, and then release pressure – if the color returns to normal in less than 2 seconds, then you have good circulation
3. Check for nerve damage by lack of movement or numbness of the body parts close and far from the affected area – not lack of movement because of pain…lack of movement because it won’t or can’t move
If any of the above checks show a problem, the person should be seen by a medical professional immediately. Call 911 if the person cannot or should not be moved.
If the person can be moved, but the injured area needs to remain immobile, use a splint or a sling. A splint or a sling is an excellent pain reliever and can help keep the injured area stable until you can get to a medical facility for an x-ray and evaluation.
• A splint can be made from common materials such as firm cardboard or a wooden board
• The board should be about 2 inches wide and long enough to span the affected area
• For a wrist or arm injury, you place the injured arm, palm down on top of the board
• The board should be lengthwise along the arm
• Using gauze or other material, wrap the arm and board
• Place the immobile arm in a sling, which can be made from a scarf or other similar material
If all of the above checks show that there is not a bigger problem, and there is pain and swelling:
• Apply ice on the affected every 4 hours for 20 minutes
• Keep the injury elevated and rested
• Use pain relievers in moderation
• See a medical professional if the pain and swelling worsens
Fractures from falling are commonplace at any time, but walking on ice is a sure way to increase your chances of falling and injuring yourself. Whether for fun or necessity, walking around on ice is risky business, regardless of your footwear or athletic ability.
Besides being aware of how to handle these kinds of injuries, the number one piece of advice we can give you is… Stay off the Ice!
Since Winter is nowhere near over, and chances are good that we could see some more slippery weather, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with handling injuries that occur from falling, regardless of whether the fall occurs on ice or any other surface:
After a fall, DO NOT MOVE UNTIL THESE CHECKS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED:
1. Check for any deformity in the affected area
a. Check for deformity of the bone – does the bone appear to be out of place
b. Check for any breaks in the skin
2. Check for pulses in the extremities to ensure that blood is flowing in the affected area
a. Check fingers and the nail bed color – squeeze the nail bed, and then release pressure – if the color returns to normal in less than 2 seconds, then you have good circulation
3. Check for nerve damage by lack of movement or numbness of the body parts close and far from the affected area – not lack of movement because of pain…lack of movement because it won’t or can’t move
If any of the above checks show a problem, the person should be seen by a medical professional immediately. Call 911 if the person cannot or should not be moved.
If the person can be moved, but the injured area needs to remain immobile, use a splint or a sling. A splint or a sling is an excellent pain reliever and can help keep the injured area stable until you can get to a medical facility for an x-ray and evaluation.
• A splint can be made from common materials such as firm cardboard or a wooden board
• The board should be about 2 inches wide and long enough to span the affected area
• For a wrist or arm injury, you place the injured arm, palm down on top of the board
• The board should be lengthwise along the arm
• Using gauze or other material, wrap the arm and board
• Place the immobile arm in a sling, which can be made from a scarf or other similar material
If all of the above checks show that there is not a bigger problem, and there is pain and swelling:
• Apply ice on the affected every 4 hours for 20 minutes
• Keep the injury elevated and rested
• Use pain relievers in moderation
• See a medical professional if the pain and swelling worsens
Fractures from falling are commonplace at any time, but walking on ice is a sure way to increase your chances of falling and injuring yourself. Whether for fun or necessity, walking around on ice is risky business, regardless of your footwear or athletic ability.
Besides being aware of how to handle these kinds of injuries, the number one piece of advice we can give you is… Stay off the Ice!
