The exposed fracture happens when there is a wound associated with the fracture, it may be possible to observe the bone or not. In these cases, there is a greater risk of developing an infection and so it is very important to know what to do to avoid such complications.
Thus, in the case of an exposed fracture it is advised that:
- Call an ambulance, call 192, or take the victim to the hospital if you can walk;
- If there is bleeding, elevate the affected area above the level of the heart;
- Cover the area with clean cloths or a sterile compress if possible;
- Try to immobilize the site with a clean bandage or tissue, without applying too much pressure on the fracture site.
In case the wound continues to bleed a lot, you should try to apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or a compress in the area around the wound.
In addition, it is important to remember that you should never try to move the victim or put the bone in place, because, in addition to the intense pain, can still cause serious injuries to the nerves or make bleeding worse, for example.
Main complications of exposed fracture
The main complication of an exposed fracture is osteomyelitis, which consists of infection of the bone by viruses and bacteria that can enter through the wound. This type of infection, when not treated properly can continue to evolve until it affects the whole bone, and it may be necessary to amputate the bone.
It is therefore very important that in the event of an open fracture, an ambulance should be called immediately and the area should be covered with a clean cloth or sterile dressing, preferably to protect the bone from bacteria and viruses.
Even after fracture treatment, it is very important to be alert to signs of bone infection, such as severe pain in the area, fever above 38 ° C or swelling, to inform the doctor and start appropriate treatment if necessary.
Learn more about this complication and its treatment.
