Open fracture of the leg

An open fracture of the leg is a trauma with a displacement of bone fragments that dissect adjacent soft tissues, skin and exit.

First aid with an open fracture of the leg

An open fracture of the leg is a serious trauma, which, if not timely provided with first aid, can significantly worsen. Consider what to do with an open leg fracture:

1. Take care not to get dirt in the wound. To do this, a sterile dressing is applied and, if possible, antiseptic treatment of the skin surface around the wound is performed.
2. If there is severe bleeding on the leg, above the wound site, you need to apply a tourniquet. If the victim's delivery to the hospital is delayed for some reason, the tourniquet should be periodically weakened.
3. Apply the tire to avoid further bone dislocation and the likelihood of damage to the fragments of large vessels (if this did not happen earlier).
4. Take general measures to prevent the development of shock.
5. As soon as possible, deliver the victim to the hospital. When transporting a person should lie, in extreme cases, sit, but the injured leg should be stretched horizontally.

Treatment of open fracture of the leg

Combination of fragments with open fractures is performed surgically, under anesthesia. Most often, the simple combination of a broken bone is not enough, and it requires the use of special spokes, plates for fixation of debris or Ilizarov's apparatus .

After the operation, the patient is always prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection, as well as calcium preparations to speed up the splicing of bones.

The fracture itself fuses in an average of 6-8 weeks, with no complications. During this period, the injured limb can not be loaded, a calm and gentle regime is required. After that, rehabilitation therapy is carried out, including gradually increasing loads, massages, and physiotherapy. The total recovery time after an open fracture of the leg is 6 or more months.