Concept and classification of injuries
Injuries are defined as a set of traumas occurring in specific population groups or individuals in similar working, living, or environmental conditions. The purpose of studying this field is to find the relationship between external factors (such as transport, sports, or domestic life) and the state of the human body to predict injury frequency and organize prevention.
Depending on the circumstances, the following types of injuries are distinguished:
- Occupational: industrial, agricultural, transport, construction.
- Non-occupational: road traffic (from vehicles), street, domestic, sports.
- Intentional and military types of injuries.
Injury characteristics and polytrauma
In traumatology, injuries are classified according to several key criteria:
- By mechanical force action: compression, torsion, tearing, stretching, as well as contrecoup (injury to the area opposite to the site of force application).
- By the nature of tissue damage: contusion, dislocation, fracture, wound, strain, or tear.
- By the number of affected organs:
- Isolated: injury within a single segment of the musculoskeletal system or a single internal organ.
- Polytrauma: subdivided into multiple, associated, and combined.
Principles and rules of transport immobilization
To prevent shock, secondary tissue damage, and infectious complications during patient transportation, transport immobilization is used. Devices are divided into standard issue and improvised.
Basic rules for splint application:
- The procedure should be carried out as early as possible.
- Fix the injured segment and at least two adjacent joints (the three-joint rule applies to femur or humeral fractures).
- The limb is placed in a mid-physiological position without attempting forceful fragment reposition.
- Splints are applied over clothing or shoes, after being pre-contoured to the body shape and protecting bony prominences with soft padding.
The three-joint rule for the femur and humerus: "Center plus upper and lower neighbors" (for the femur — hip, knee, ankle; for the humerus — shoulder, elbow, wrist).
Class and exam questions
What is the difference between occupational transport injuries and road traffic accidents?
Occupational transport injuries are directly related to professional work in transportation. Road traffic injuries belong to the non-occupational category and result from the impact of vehicles outside the performance of job duties.
Which joints must be fixed during transport immobilization of the femur?
In case of femoral injuries, it is necessary to fix three joints: the hip, knee, and ankle.
Is it permitted to contour a transport splint directly on the victim's body?
No, the splint must be contoured to the victim's body shape strictly prior to its application.
What else to study on this topic
- Objectives and methods of the postoperative rehabilitation period
- Application of physiotherapeutic methods in the early and late periods
- Prevention of femoral fractures at the individual and state levels
- Motor activity regimens during sanatorium treatment of convalescents
- Features of novocaine blockades at the prehospital stage and their risks
Master the entire topic in the "Hygiene" course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on "Transport injuries" and 530 more pages of the subject
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 95 video lessons for the subject
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.