Actually, the patient had encountered motorcycle accident that resulted to severed skin damage with his arm bone fractured.
2006-09-11 01:39:42 · 3 answers · asked by william p 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I'm going to guess that you're asking about post-medical treatment care. The fractured arm should be in a cast of some sort (hard, mesh, soft, etc.). Try to keep the arm elevated. That will reduce both pain and swelling. The cast should only be removed by a physician. Try to keep it dry and clean. Clean the skin around it. As for the skin damage... if it is covered by a dressing, you should have been instructed on how to care for it (how often to change it and what, if anything to apply to the area). If the area was left exposed to the air, it should be gentle cleaned with mild soap and probably dabbed with a small amount of bacitracin. If you weren't given any instructions, call the ER the patient was seen in. They'll answer any questions you have.
If the person hasn't been seen by a doctor... GET TO ONE NOW! A fractured arm and open wound could end up being life threatening!!!!
2006-09-11 01:56:30 · answer #1 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a broken bone penetrates through the skin, this is called a "compound fracture." The risk of infection from a compound fracture is extremely high and may result in loss of the limb or even death. This is not something you can take care of with home remedies and care and normally hospitalization is required with surgery, IV antibiotics and rigorous wound care. The more damage to the skin, the greater the risk of infection.
Any areas of skin that have lost blood supply need to be debrided and the areas protected and possibly skin grafted. Splints or casts need windows so damaged tissue can be observed for signs of infection as well. A motorcycle accident is likely to have created a very dirty and contaminated wound.
Again, this is not a home first aid problem. If this person is not in a hospital you need to get them to one immediately. If they are in hospital they need to be closely observed and any signs of infection, increased pain or swelling need to be seen to promptly.
2006-09-11 08:50:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
With the help of a Dr. or hospital, I hope.
2006-09-11 08:41:17 · answer #3 · answered by DanE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋