During the summer holidays, the number of cases of childhood injuries noticeably increases. Children play in playgrounds, and every year, in addition to the usual rollerblades, skateboards, and bicycles, more and more injury-prone means of quick transportation are added: tricycles, scooters, hoverboards, roller shoes, and so on. Even without these, there are plenty of chances for injuries outdoors or at home. Therefore, it's important for parents to know what to do if their child is injured. In the case of any injury, it's vital to provide the child with first aid. There are minor injuries that do not require special medical intervention. In other cases, timely medical attention is necessary.
Contusion
In the case of a contusion, tissues and organs are injured without significant disruption of their structure. Surface tissues (skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and periosteum) are most often damaged. A strong blow can harm the soft tissues that are compressed against the bones at the moment of injury. Ensure maximum immobilization of the child, if possible, tightly bandage the contusion site, and apply cold. Consult a doctor to rule out internal injuries.
Wound
A wound occurs when the anatomical integrity of the covering and internal tissues is disrupted due to mechanical action. Sometimes the damage involves not only the thickness of the tissues but also internal organs. The main symptoms include pain, bleeding, and gaping. First, stop the bleeding. For this, use any clean fabric or specialized materials (bandage, gauze). Apply a tight dressing, place cold on the wound site, and seek medical help.
Fracture
In the case of a fracture, the integrity of the bone is disrupted as a result of trauma. Complications from diseases that lead to changes in bone tissue are also possible. When a fracture occurs, it is important to immobilize the limb using improvised (cardboard, board, any long flexible objects) or specialized (splint, long splint) means, securing the injured part of the body with a bandage or cloth before visiting a doctor. Modern medicine can restore bones even in cases of extremely complex fractures.
Dislocation
In a dislocation, the congruence of the joint surfaces of the bones is disrupted due to trauma or destructive processes in the joint (arthrosis, arthritis). This can occur with or without disruption of the joint capsule's integrity. The actions required for a dislocation are almost identical to those for a fracture—joint fixation in a comfortable position followed by immediate medical attention.
Sprains and Tears
In this type of injury, the ligamentous apparatus of the joint is stretched or torn, or ligaments are pulled away from their attachment points. In some cases, tendon avulsions and direct muscle tissue tears may occur. The actions for these injuries are similar to those for contusions. A specialist (orthopedist-traumatologist, sometimes a surgeon) can provide a more detailed evaluation of the situation.
When talking to the doctor, it is important to provide the necessary information about the child's health:
- Provide information about all chronic diseases, especially those that regularly flare up or are seasonal, as well as childhood infectious diseases that the child has suffered from.
- It is advisable to specify any medications to which the child has allergic reactions or intolerances.
- In some cases, information about vaccinations may be relevant.
The development of medicine does not stand still, and modern clinics (including MM "Dobrobut") use the latest technological advances to provide the most comprehensive medical assistance: various materials for treating and healing wounds (special dressings with absorbent materials; dressings that can be showered with; those that speed up healing, etc.), materials for strong and lightweight fracture fixation (polymers that allow the child to bathe in modern "cast" dressings; orthoses and bandages that provide better skin cleanliness maintenance compared to plaster and bandages, etc.). The capabilities of modern surgical orthopedics and traumatology allow for fragment fixation using fixators made of noble metals that are neutral to surrounding tissues and bones. Modern techniques enable minimally traumatic surgeries, with minimal skin incisions that sometimes resemble punctures in size. This positively affects cosmetic outcomes and significantly reduces healing times.
Often, manipulations for children in traumatology—be it simple bandaging or reducing a dislocation—are performed under short-term anesthesia, as it can be painful. Modern medications used for general anesthesia eliminate all risks of complications.
After treating an injury, a certain healing period is required, which should occur under medical supervision. For example, in the case of a fracture, it is necessary to monitor the healing process through X-rays, which allows predicting healing times.
Wounds, depending on their location, nature, and character, can heal within 10 to 30 days in the absence of complications. If complications arise, such as delayed healing, pus formation, and other unpleasant situations, the overall treatment period increases. To minimize the risk of potential complications and shorten the healing time, it is essential to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations until complete recovery.
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