First aid for fractures of the foot and lower leg

Fractures of the ankle, usually called the ankles and lower leg bones - the most common injury of the lower extremities. The peak of similar injuries have typically off-season, when during the ice man falls on the leg, loading it with all the weight of the body or awkwardly tucking under itself.

Fractures of the ankle, usually called the ankles and lower leg bones - the most common injury of the lower extremities (Figure 1). The peak of similar injuries have typically off-season, when during the ice man falls on the leg, loading it with all the weight of the body or awkwardly tucking under itself.

More severe damage to the leg and foot bones occur when falling from great heights, as a result of accident or squeezing his legs with a heavy object.
Usually, the fracture increases rapidly swelling, there sharp pain and strain caused by displacement of bone fragments. Often accompanied by ankle fracture dislocation of the foot.
Broken leg to give the correct position. To do this, gently pull the leg length, holding one hand on the heel and the other to the toes. Immediately remove your shoes. After a few minutes after the injury will make it harder, because the pain and swelling is increasing with every minute (Figure 2).


If the fracture is open, do not attempt to reduce a bone fragments from the wound or remove foreign objects. The first thing to do - is to stop the bleeding. Prepare the skin around the wound with any disinfectant (tincture of iodine, a solution of manganese, potassium acid, hydrogen peroxide) and cover the wound as possible sterile bandage. Then proceed to the immobilization.

To do this, except for tires, you can use the means at hand - the board, ski poles, rods, superimposing them on the outside and inside of the leg. Locking tire must simultaneously two joints: the knee and ankle (Figure 3). In an extreme case of a damaged leg can be pribintovat to health. If there are no bandages, fix a tire with a scarf, shirts, towels.
The victim must be delivered as quickly as possible to a medical facility on a stretcher - standard or improvised, for example, on coats, in which threaded poles (Figure 4).


When the doctors allowed to walk, use crutches or a cane. Crutches should be adjusted according to height, so that when walking the upper part is not pressed on the armpits. For fractures of the calcaneus and foot bones get special insoles for shoes - instep.
Those who have had a broken ankle after removal of the cast are advised to wear special shoes to prevent posttraumatic deformities of the foot; most appropriate shoes for skating.
Do not load the injured leg above the norm. To reduce swelling, while resting, sleeping, put his foot on a pillow or sofa cushion (Figure 5).

Even in a cast, of course, when there is severe pain, do light exercise, try to stretch the muscles injured leg. It is necessary to improve circulation and prevent "hardening" of the joints.