Soft Tissue Injuries:
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Transcript of Soft Tissue Injuries:
Soft Tissue Injuries:
The Skin:• Best be described as the skin and
subcutaneous layers.• Largest organ of the body.• Epidermis - outermost layer consists of
dead cells constantly being rubbed off & replaced.
• Dermis - second layer containing sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, Blood vessels, and nerve endings.
• Subcutaneous Tissue - innermost layer composed of fat that serves as a body insulator and shock absorber.
Functions of the Skin:
• Water balance.• Temperature regulation.• Excretion.• Shock absorption.
Closed Soft Tissue Injuries:
• Characterized as a wound beneath the unbroken skin.– Contusion.– Hematoma.– Crush injury.
Contusion:
• Bruise• Epidermis remains in tact.• Injury to cells and blood vessels in the
dermis.• Localized pain & swelling at the site.• Blood accumulation in surrounding tissue
causes discoloration. (Ecchymosis).
Hematoma:
• Similar to contusion.• Involves damage to larger blood vessels.• Larger amount of tissue damage.• Shock can result due to blood loss.
Crush Injuries:
• Crushing forces applied to body.• Can cause internal organ rupture.• Internal bleeding may be severe resulting
in hypoperfusion.
Emergency Medical Care:
• BSI.• Assure airway and Oxygenation.• Treat for shock.• Splint painful, swollen, deformed
extremities.• Transport.
Open Soft Tissue Injuries:
• The skin has been opened exposing the tissue beneath.
• Risks.– Possible contamination.– Infection.– Indicator of more serious injury/fracture.
Types of Open Soft Tissue Injuries:
• Abrasions• Lacerations• Avulsions• Punctures/Penetrations• Amputations• Crush injuries
Abrasions:• Epidermis is damaged by
scraping, rubbing, or shearing forces.
• Considered superficial injury.• Painful due to exposed nerve
endings.• Blood will ooze from wound
(capillary bleeding).• Road rash.• Infection, contamination, &
potential for underlying injury.
Lacerations:
• Break in the skin of varying depth.• May be linear, smooth edges. • May be stellate or jagged edges.• Caused by forceful impact with sharp
object.• Bleeding may be severe.
Avulsions:• Flaps of skin or tissue are torn loose or pulled completely
off. • Replace flap carefully in place and apply large bulky
dressing and bandage in place.
Amputations:
• Involves the extremities and other body parts.
• Bleed may be massive but in most cases, very little bleeding occurs.
Penetrations/Punctures:
• Caused by sharp pointed object.• May be no external bleeding.• Internal bleeding may be severe.• Exit wound may be present.• EXAMPLES
– Gunshot wound.– Stab wound.
Crush Injuries:
• Damage to soft tissue and internal organs.• May cause painful, swollen, deformed
extremity.• External bleeding may be minimal or
absent.• Internal bleeding may be severe.