280 likes | 1.72k Views
Soft Tissue Injuries:. The Skin:. Best be described as the skin and subcutaneous layers. Largest organ of the body. Epidermis - outermost layer consists of dead cells constantly being rubbed off & replaced.
E N D
The Skin: • Best be described as the skin and subcutaneous layers. • Largest organ of the body. • Epidermis - outermost layer consists of dead cells constantly being rubbed off & replaced. • Dermis - second layer containing sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, Blood vessels, and nerve endings. • Subcutaneous Tissue - innermost layer composed of fat that serves as a body insulator and shock absorber.
Functions of the Skin: • Water balance. • Temperature regulation. • Excretion. • Shock absorption.
Closed Soft Tissue Injuries: • Characterized as a wound beneath the unbroken skin. • Contusion. • Hematoma. • Crush injury.
Contusion: • Bruise • Epidermis remains in tact. • Injury to cells and blood vessels in the dermis. • Localized pain & swelling at the site. • Blood accumulation in surrounding tissue causes discoloration. (Ecchymosis).
Hematoma: • Similar to contusion. • Involves damage to larger blood vessels. • Larger amount of tissue damage. • Shock can result due to blood loss.
Crush Injuries: • Crushing forces applied to body. • Can cause internal organ rupture. • Internal bleeding may be severe resulting in hypoperfusion.
Emergency Medical Care: • BSI. • Assure airway and Oxygenation. • Treat for shock. • Splint painful, swollen, deformed extremities. • Transport.
Open Soft Tissue Injuries: • The skin has been opened exposing the tissue beneath. • Risks. • Possible contamination. • Infection. • Indicator of more serious injury/fracture.
Types of Open Soft Tissue Injuries: • Abrasions • Lacerations • Avulsions • Punctures/Penetrations • Amputations • Crush injuries
Abrasions: • Epidermis is damaged by scraping, rubbing, or shearing forces. • Considered superficial injury. • Painful due to exposed nerve endings. • Blood will ooze from wound (capillary bleeding). • Road rash. • Infection, contamination, & potential for underlying injury.
Lacerations: • Break in the skin of varying depth. • May be linear, smooth edges. • May be stellate or jagged edges. • Caused by forceful impact with sharp object. • Bleeding may be severe.
Avulsions: • Flaps of skin or tissue are torn loose or pulled completely off. • Replace flap carefully in place and apply large bulky dressing and bandage in place.
Amputations: • Involves the extremities and other body parts. • Bleed may be massive but in most cases, very little bleeding occurs.
Penetrations/Punctures: • Caused by sharp pointed object. • May be no external bleeding. • Internal bleeding may be severe. • Exit wound may be present. • EXAMPLES • Gunshot wound. • Stab wound.
Crush Injuries: • Damage to soft tissue and internal organs. • May cause painful, swollen, deformed extremity. • External bleeding may be minimal or absent. • Internal bleeding may be severe.