Understanding Sprains, Dislocations, Wounds, and More

Sprains

A sprain is a tear, twist, strain, or overstretching of a ligament. It occurs due to a sudden movement, fall, bump, or a sharp twist, which exceeds the normal range of motion. Sprains are graded as follows:

• Grade I: Partial ligament distension (conservative treatment, see medication, physiotherapy, massage therapy).
• Grade II: Partial or complete tear of the ligament (conservative or surgical treatment, depending on the injury).
• Grade III: Complete rupture of the ligament with bone avulsion (surgical treatment).

The failure of several ligaments can lead to dislocation if joint congruity is completely lost.

Dislocations

A dislocation is an injury to the capsular ligament with permanent loss of contact between joint surfaces, which may be total (dislocation) or partial (subluxation).

Wounds

Wounds involve the loss of continuity in the soft tissues of the body as a result of trauma (hit, wound, cut, scrape, etc.).

• Open wounds: In this type of injury, the separation of soft tissue is observed. These injuries tend to become infected easily.
• Closed wounds: Those in which there is no apparent injury; however, bleeding under the skin accumulates in cavities or organs. Although apparently nothing has happened, internal injuries can be severe. This type of injury should be treated by a doctor immediately.
• Simple wounds: These are injuries that affect the skin without causing major organ damage, such as scratches, small wounds, and abrasions.
• Complicated wounds: These are extensive and deep wounds with heavy bleeding, usually with injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs, and may or may not involve visceral perforation.

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage is the outflow of blood from the cardiovascular system. It is a condition causing a loss of blood, which can be:

• Internal: When blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body.
• External: Through a rupture of the skin.

Bleeding can occur through natural body openings such as the rectum (rectal bleeding), the mouth via vomiting (hematemesis) or coughing (hemoptysis), the nose (epistaxis), the vagina (vaginal bleeding), the urethra (hematuria), the ear (otorrhagia), and the eye.

First Aid

First aid refers to the techniques and procedures that are immediate, limited, temporary, and performed by a trained professional or technician. It is given to those in need, such as victims of an accident or sudden illness.

The Chain of Survival

The Chain of Survival is the set of successive and coordinated actions that save the life (and improve the quality of survival) of a person who is the victim of a cardiopulmonary emergency.

Hyperlordosis

Hyperlordosis is the increase in the curvature of the spine. This can occur in the cervical, dorsal, or lumbar spine.