MUSCULOSKELETAL TRAUMA
1. CONTUSION
- Is a soft tissue injury produced by blunt
trauma such as blow, kick, or fall causing
small blood vessels to rupture and bleed
into soft tissues (ecchymosis/bleeding).
- LOCAL S/SX: Pain, swelling, and
discoloration.
- MANAGEMENT: Intermittent application
of cold packs applied to the site.
- Elevation of the extremity.
NURSING INT.
 Lower Leg Contusion
- S/sx: pain upon force/impact, inability to
use lower limn, tenderness, pain upon
stretching, inability to walk properly, skin
is warm and hard to touch, bruising,
swelling.
2. SPRAIN
- An incomplete tearing of joint capsule or
ligaments surrounding a joint, which does
not disrupt ligament continuity or cause
joint instability.
- CAUSE: Sudden twisting of joint beyond
its normal range of motion.
- S/sx: Paint at the joint, edema around joint,
discoloration around joint, decreased joint
function.
 To reduce swelling, apply cold treatment,
such as ice bag/a cold pack for the 1st 48
hours.
 Promotes vasoconstriction, reduce the
bleeding, reduce swelling and discomfort.
 After swelling is controlled, apply warm
treatment such as warm compress/ a
heating pad.
 Promotes vasodilation, increase blood flow
to facilitates healing.
 Rest the affected joint.
 Provide care to patient with extremity in
cast or in bandage.
3. STRAIN
- Is injury to a tendon/muscle unit close to
the joint, it can be acute or chronic.
- CAUSE: overstretching of tendons or
overusing muscles.
- S/sx: - Acute strain produces sudden,
severe pain at the time of injury, then
subsides to local tenderness, swelling
occurs rapidly.
 - Chronic strain produces gradual onset - CAUSES: trauma, disease, congenital
stiffness, soreness, and tenderness. condition
- S/Sx: Burning pain to joint, deformity of
joint, stiffness and loss of joint function
moderate or severe edema around joint.

MANAGEMENT:

 needs to be immobilized at the scene and

during transport to the hospital.
 dislocation is promptly reduced, and
displaced parts are placed back in proper
anatomic position.
 Analgesia, muscle relaxants, and possibly
anesthesia
 Immobilized by splints, casts, or traction
and is maintained in a stable position.

NURSING INT.
NURSING INT.
 frequent assessment and evaluation of the
- For acute strain, apply ice packs for the 1st
injury
48 hours to control swelling.
 proper exercises and activities as well as
- After swelling is controlled, apply warm
danger signs and symptoms to look for.
treatment such as warm compress/heating
 Compartment syndrome
pad.
- Rest the part for 4-6 weeks.
- For both acute and chronic strains, permit
only minimal movement of the affected
area.

4. DISLOCATION
- The displacement of a bone from its
normal joint position to the extent that
articulating surfaces lost contact.
- A subluxation is a partial dislocation and
does not cause as much deformity as a
complete dislocation.