Emergency Care for Lower Extremity Injuries

        Seeking emergency care can be very important in some cases. Serious injuries to the lower extremities need to be cared for right away.  Those who have been in an accident, whether it be in a car, plane, or even walking, may need to seek emergency help. Luckily, when the police and fire truck arrive, an ambulance comes as well. The paramedics are there to make sure that the victims are conscious and not injured. If they suspect something to be fractured, or broken, the EMT’s will automatically put that person on a gurney in order to splint their whole body. If there is an onlooker at the scene without paramedics, he or she should splint the person to anything they find straight and firm in order to prevent further injury. Minor injuries should seek emergency care, as well. Ligament sprains and muscle strains may lead to major injuries if not cared for right away. For these two injuries, the first thing a person can do is the R.I.C.E. method: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. If the injury does not get any better, emergency help may be needed. If the person cannot bear weight on the area, the joint is numb or unstable, there are red streaks, or if the sprain is severe. If a person has a muscle strain and cannot move or put weight on it after a couple of days, he or she needs to contact a professional for help.  Some other reasons someone may seek emergency help is when the area is pale, cool, tingling, numb, or in severe pain. One severe injury to the lower extremities is amputation. Witnessing an amputation can put a person in shock more than anything. The first thing a person must do if they see an amputation at an accident scene is to call 911 immediately. After they call emergency services, they must stop the bleeding, remove any easily removable objects in the wound, and apply direct pressure for a full 15 minutes, or until the paramedics arrive to take over. The witness must check for shock and emotional stress, which can cause fainting or lightheadedness. Amputations are a very serious matter and must seek emergency help right away. Injury to the lower extremities should be taken seriously in order to prevent future injuries.

References

Campagne, Danielle. "Overview of Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains -   Injuries Poisoning." Merck Manuals Professional Edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. Web.

Charrette, Mark. “Lower-Extremity Overuse Injuries: Primer on Causes and Corrections.” Dynamic Chiropractic. 33:10. Nov. 2015. Web.

Slobounov, Semyon. "Abnormal Balance as a Risk Factor for Injury." Injuries in Athletics: Causes and Consequences. New York: Springer, 2008. N. pag. Web.