Weekend Warriors June/July 2006
Well, it‘s the weekend, and what better time to get some chores done at home. For the majority of people that work Monday through Friday, the weekend is the time to get those chores done; and on Monday we wake up with those body aches, sore muscles and minor injuries. We are going to talk about some injuries and how to treat them.
- Contusions are bumps and bruises to any body part. You banged into that ladder and woke up with a black and blue mark, and some swelling of your leg. Blood pools in the area of injury, causing” black and blue” marks. Treatment is easy, ice and elevation. You might need a tetanus shot if you have an abrasion, or “brush burn”.
- Lacerations or “cuts” can be caused by anything from a butter knife to a chain saw. If the wound is large, dirty or gapes open, you need to go to the emergency department for cleaning, antibiotics and sutures. All animal or human bites should be seen by a health care provider.
- Sprains are caused by stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are bands of tissue that connect bones to bones. You overturned your ankle and now have pain and swelling. Treatment is “RICE”- rest, ice, compression (ace bandage) and elevation. Don’t forget pain meds. When using an ace bandage, don’t wrap it too tightly. If you notice swelling or bluish colored fingers or toes, it must be loosened immediately. If there is no improvement in a few days, seek medical attention. If severe, you may need surgery to repair the ligaments.
- Strains are stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones. You were overusing a group of muscles and woke up with stiffness and pain. Treatment is again… rest, ice and pain meds. As with sprains, if no improvement in a few days, seek medical attention. You may also need surgery for a muscle tear.
- Fractures are caused by any injury that generates enough force to cause the bone to break. (Is that right Kelly??) Pain, swelling, and deformities are usually present. Treatments include ice and immobilization of the extremity until a cast is applied. If you suspect a fracture, seek medical attention ASAP. If the bone is sticking out through the skin, cover the area with a clean cloth or bandage and call 911.
Don’t forget basic first aid. If it hurts- ice and elevation of the injured part, and pain medicine; whatever you usually take, acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be enough. If it is a dirty wound, or you have scraped or cut skin, wash the area with plain soap and water. And if you haven’t had a tetanus shot within the last 5 to 10 years, you will need to get a booster shot. If you have been given an antibiotic, take all of it as prescribed.
So there…all you need to know about minor injuries and their treatments. Now, go out and finish that” honey-do-list”.
Take care and be safe, Linda |
