Skull Fracture Types and Treatment

Bone structure that forms the head of the human skeleton called the skull. The existence of the skull are critical to protect the brain and support the structure of the face.

In order to functioning as a protection from potential brain injury, skull-shaped cavity formed protective shell that surrounds and a safe place for the brain and brain stem. Set of bones that make up the protective brain is called the neurocranium. Besides neurocranium, skull also consists of a set of bone-forming viscerocranium or face.

All parts of the skull was then put together by an appropriate seam-like sinartrosis joints system (static joints) formed by hardening of the bones. The existence of Sharpey fiber then allows the skull has a little flexibility.

Accidents May Cause Skull Fracture

Although the skull was designed extremely good and strong, but still could potentially for injury. Injury or trauma to the skull usually can cause cracks. Due to the structure of the skull bones sturdy and solid, it will clash of the strong ones that could lead to cracking.

Typically, the skull was damaged when a motor vehicle accident or fall off from height. Another thing that also can be the cause of damage to the skull bone is a direct blow to the head.

Type of Skull Fracture

Cracks or fractures of the skull can be divided into several types. This grouping is done by looking at the power that makes the damage, the location of the injuries, and the shapes of objects that caused the damage in the head. Below is some kind of damage to the skull.

• Closed Fracture

Damage to the skull is named so if the skin cover the cracked area did not experience a tear or causing injury becomes open.

• Open Fracture

Unlike the closed fracture, the condition of the skull bone injury is followed by damage to the skin at the site of cracks. Called as an open fractures due to bone damage visible or appearing from skin tears.

• Skull Base Fracture

Fractures of this type occurred in the area of the base of the skull. This area covers the area around the eyes, ears, nose, or the back of the skull which is adjacent to the spine.

• Depression Fracture

Other damage that can happen is a depressed fracture of the skull. So named to describe the fracture fragments pushed into the cavity of the brain.

Treatment of the Skull Fracture

In handling fractures of the skull, the determination of the type of damage above becomes very crucial. In addition to the type of damage that occurs, the handling will also be determined by how severe the fracture suffered. It takes months in order to be well recovered. It also depends on the age of the patient. The younger a person who experienced it, the sooner the possibility of well recovered.

In cases when a patient who suffered skull fracture also get open wounds on the skin, then the injury usually need to be cleaned first. Cleaning an open wound need to be done to prevent infection. In addition, doctor may prescribe medicine to relieve symptoms that may arise such as pain and nausea. Surgery may also be required if a skull fracture caused part of the bone migratory or broken.

Rib Injury Home Remedy Treatment

Falling and got hit in the chest area may cause the ribs bruised, cracked, or broken. Sometimes severe coughing can also lead to a rib injury in people who suffer from osteoporosis and cancer.

When ribs bruised, cracked, or broken, you will experience tremendous pain. But with a proper care, this pain will slowly goes away after three weeks to one and a half months because the rib structure is able to recover naturally.

In most cases, a broken rib can be handled with care at home. These ways can you do to take care of the injured ribs.

Rib Injury Home Remedy Treatment

• Taking painkillers. You can choose ibuprofen or paracetamol. Consider the use of the drug according to instructions on the package. Aspirin can also be used for adults.
• Breathing exercises. When a rib get injury, you will feel pain when breathing deeply so that makes you tend to inhale slowly and shallow. Actually, you are advised to keep breathing normally. The purpose is to prevent chest infections and helps remove mucus from the lungs. As a form of breathing exercises, you can inhale a deep breath then exhale slowly. Do this 10 times every hour. Then you also can do exercises to perform mild cough every two hours.
• Do not bandage the injured ribs. Bruised, cracked, or broken rib should not be covered with bandages (elastic bandage) wrapped around the chest area. Pressure from the bandage on the upper body area can hamper breathing and increases the risk of pneumonia.
• Rest a Lot. If your job requires a lot of physical movement, we recommend you take time off. Similarly, if the condition of your ribs is considered as a severe injury and agonizingly painful.
• Do not lying down for too long. Avoid lying position for too long, or being in the same position for a long time. In the first few days, you are advised to sleep in an upright position.
• Being active. You are advised to keep moving once in a while, such as walking around and moving the shoulder. Remain mobile  will help clear your lungs of mucus.
• Compress the chest. To reduce swelling and pain, compress your chest regularly. Use ice cubes or frozen food wrapped in a towel and apply on the chest area. Do this especially on the first few days.
• Use a pillow if you want to cough. If you want to cough, hug a pillow to hold the chest to absorb the pressure.
• Avoid the following things for a while. You are advised not to carry or lift heavy loads. Avoid straining too strong and avoid smoking. Just wait until your condition get better.

You have to really pay attention how to take care of your bruised, cracked, or broken ribs, as described above. Do not let your lack of attention worsen the situation and make the recovery process becomes longer.

Immediately see a doctor if you experience high fever, shortness of breath, severe chest pain, coughing up blood, cough accompany with yellow or green mucus, and pain in the abdomen or shoulder. You should also see a doctor if the pain does not relieve in a few weeks after taking care as mentioned above.

Hamstring Muscle Injury First Aid Treatment

On each thigh there are three muscle groups located at the rear and was named hamstring muscle. If this muscle sprain then it will lead to a hamstring injury.

Certain sports at risk of causing a person to get this injury. Football, basketball, tennis, rugby or other sports that require running and braking continuously. A dancer or runners are also at risk of suffering a hamstring injury due to compression of the exercise on the part of the thigh.

How Can Hamstring Muscle Get Injured?

In everyday activities, such as standing and walking, hamstring muscles are not used too much. But when we bend the knee, running, jumping, and climbing, the muscles become very active. Hamstring injuries can occur immediately due to the sudden movement or too explosive. The actions that related to these high risk conditions, for example due to a run, crashing, or jump.

Muscle damage can also occur gradually or during slow movements. The slow movement of a hamstring injury risk is exaggerated stretching movements.

If a person has been experience this injury, it is likely it will recurrent someday. This especially can happen to those who work as athletes or sportsmen.

Hamstring injury itself is divided into three categories if based on the severity level:

1. Category I: happens when the hamstring muscle to stretch or mild stretch. This injury requires a few days of recovery.
2. Category II: happen to a person who suffered partially torn hamstring muscle. Injuries of this category require recovery of several weeks to several months.
3. Category III: the hamstring injury which occurs when tearing in the entire muscle. Injuries of this category requires restoration for a few weeks to a few months.

Hamstring Muscle Injury First Aid Treatment

To relieve the pain that appears, some of the actions below may help relieve it.

1. Compress legs with ice to reduce pain and swelling. Do it every 2-3 hours for 20-30 minutes for a few days after the injury.
2. Give pressure by putting on an elastic bandage on the injured area.
3. When sitting or lying down, put your legs on a pillow so that its position is higher than the body.
4. If necessary, take painkillers may be beneficial. However, you should consult your doctor to avoid the potential risk of side effects.
5. As part of the healing process, doing stretching exercises and muscle strengthening. Do this according to the recommendation of your doctor.
6. Rarely, surgery may be required in some cases to recover the damage of the hamstring muscle.

To avoid hamstring injury, stretching and muscle strengthening is the part that must be implemented. In addition, warm up before exercise can reduce the risk of this injury.

Sprained Ankle First Aid Treatment

The ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments (hard connective tissue that connects bones) leg get injury. Changing foot position or rotate suddenly can make ligaments stretch too far or even torn. Similarly, if foothold with the wrong angle, or using too much power, the ligaments can be snapped. In fact, ligaments serve to help stabilize the joint and prevent excessive motion.

Read Also: Sprain First Aid and Home Remedy Treatment

Ankle sprains are divided into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe. Fortunately, mild ankle sprain and moderate able to heal itself. To accelerate the healing, you can do the following things:

• Protect ankle sprain in order injury not getting worsen, for example bandage the leg.
• Rest the ankle joint for 2-3 days, but that does not mean you are unable to activity at all. Although your foot is sprain, you can still exercise, for example by training the arms and the feet that are not is sprain using a stationary bike. We recommend not running or jumping until you can walk without feeling pain. In addition, do not force the ankle to keep moving and do not walk too far or for long. Better stand up and walk around the house a short distance, while using crutches.
• Compress the sprained ankle with ice water. The goal is to limit the swelling from spreading as well as relieve the pain. In addition, the ice also helps reduce pain. Cold compress the injured area as soon as possible for 15 to 20 minutes, 4-8 times a day. Do it for the first 48 hours or until the swelling deflated. If you use ice cubes, do not apply directly to the skin. In addition, do not put ice on the skin for too long because it can trigger tissue damage.
• Bandaged sprained ankle with an elastic bandage or neoprene (synthetic rubber) for at least 48 hours (can be less or more). Useful to limit swelling and help the joints to rest. Do not bandage the ankle too tight because it can restrict blood flow to the legs. If the toes change color, tingling, or felt numb, immediately open the bandage.
• Lift sprained ankle to over the heart for 2-3 hours a day if possible. The goal is to limit and reduce swelling and bruising. The trick, lie down on a couch or bed and put your foot on a pile of pillows. If not possible, the foot can be lifted at hip level when sitting in a chair. Keep in mind not to use bandages when the foot is raised because bandages can restrict blood flow to the legs.
• Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or aspirin after a meal. But do not consume this drug often, unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Perform stretching exercise if your doctor recommend it.

Knee Ligament Injuries First Aid Treatment

Knee ligament injury can happen especially when you are exercising or doing activity. Most of the knee injury caused the knee function becomes deteriorate, such as weakened to support the body weight.

The knee is a body part that works hard when you're doing activities, especially exercise such as running. The load on the knee while working hard can cause injury to the ligaments. Ligaments are hard bands that connects bone to bone.

Read also: Knee Cartilage Injury First Aid Treatment

The ligaments in the knee ligaments are vulnerable to injury and can lead to permanent changes in a person's activity. Injuries that often experienced by athletes can also be experienced by anyone who are doing or have conditions such as the following:

1. Knee suffered from a concussion
2. Rotating the knees with your feet remain grounded on the ground.
3. Suddenly moving the load weight from one foot to the other.
4. Over widen the knees.
5. Jumping and landing with bent knees.
6. Sudden stop while running.

Knee ligament injury will cause the person experiencing it can feel sudden pain, swelling, crackling sound of a knee injury, the joints feel loose, and always feel pain each time lifting weights.

Read also : Knee Injury Treatment Home Remedy

Examination for detecting injuries could be done with MRI, X-rays, or other tests. In most cases, the doctor may use a needle to suck and dried blood in the swollen knee.

If it not treated immediately, the impact of a knee ligament injury can be felt up to several months, even several years later.

Knee Ligament Injury First Aid

1. Compress the knee with a cloth to relieve swelling. You can also use ice cubes. Place the compress for 20-30 minutes every four hours.
2. Rest your knees.
3. When lying down, raise your knee on a pillow.
4. If needed, take anti-inflammation drug and pain reliever.
5. Wear kneepads to prevent further injury.
6. The doctor will probably encourage you to practice stretching and movement to train the strength.
7. Physical therapy may be needed on medical advice.

After receiving treatment, avoid rush back on the move as actively as before until your knee recover as the following conditions:

1. No swelling anymore.
2. The injured knee is just as strong as uninjured.
3. Do not feel pain in the knee when walking, running and jumping.
4. Be able to bend and straighten the knee without pain.
5. Do not underestimate the recovery period because if you are rush to move as it was when the knee has not completely recovered, then you face the risk of permanent injury.

Fast or slow period of recovery depend on the severity of the injury and the treatment given. However, some types of injuries, such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) torn typically require reconstructive surgery to recover. These ligaments connect the femur to the tibia (a lower leg bone).

The possibility of ACL injury is very common among all forms of sports injuries. Injuries to these Cruciate Ligaments unfortunately can not be fixed and can only be reconstructed. This operation is likely to return more than 80 percent of knee function. In other words, it will not completely the same as before the injury. Patients also will likely continue to experience pain and swelling. Besides this operation also risk causing other health problems, such as infection and blood clots.

Therefore it is important to prevent knee ligament injuries before it happens. This can be prevented by warming up before exercise or doing activities, stretching and strength training regularly to maintain muscle flexibility, and avoid increasing the intensity of exercise suddenly.

Knee Cartilage Injury First Aid Treatment

The cartilage is a powerful and flexible tissue that is exist throughout the body. However, it does not make it tamper-proof.

The cartilage has diverse functions such as connect one bone to another, supporting other tissue, reducing the friction between the bones, preventing joint damage, sustain body weight, and help us move freely.

Read also : Osteoarthritis Risk Factor and How to Resolve It

Parts of the body can be bent consists of three parts, which are elastic cartilage, fibrous, and hyaline or articular.

1. Articular cartilage or hyaline cartilage. Strong, supple, located between the ribs, around the windpipe (trachea) and in between the joints.
2. Elastic cartilage. Forming the ears, the nose tip, and the epiglottis (tissue behind the throat that prevents food down into the airways).
3. Fibrous cartilage. There is between the spinal discs of the vertebrae and between the hip and pelvis.

The three types of the cartilage can be damaged or injured. And when that happens, cartilage takes longer to heal and recover. This is because cartilage does not have its own blood supply which can repair damaged tissue.

Read also: Knee Ligament Injuries First Aid Treatment

Articular cartilage is a type of the cartilage that is the most common and potentially seriously affected by the damage. Areas of the cartilage that are usually damaged or wounded is in the knee. It is often due to injury, trauma or impact toned and hard, too much pressure, or even because it rarely moves (prolonged bed rest).

If it were so, the cartilage that has been injured can cause swelling, extreme pain, and restricted movement.

Knee Cartilage Injury First Aid

1. Protect the cartilage from further injury.
2. Rest for at least 24-48 hours.
3. Compress knee injury with ice cubes that had been wrapped with a cloth or towel for 20 minutes every hour. Do this during the first 48 hours after the injury occurred.
4. Press or wrap the knee with a bandage.
5. Raise the legs into position that higher than the heart.

After that, immediately visit the emergency department and a specialist for further treatment such as:

1. Physiotherapy, which is exercises to support the joints, strengthen the muscles around it, and helps reduce pain and stress on the joint.
2. Prescribe a painkiller to help reduce swelling and pain.
3. Give advice to change your lifestyle to reduce the activities that require the use of  the injured joint or cartilage.

Read also : Knee Injury Treatment Home Remedy

However, if the the cartilage is damaged badly enough, the only way to be achieved is through the operation (such as knee cartilage replacement). If your knee injury, immediately consult a specialist expert to ensure no damaged of cartilage. The faster the injured receive medical interventions, the sooner the recovery process.