Around 2 million Canadians have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. It reduces bone mass and contributes toward damaging bone tissues. If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, chances are, their bones are fragile and prone to multiple fractures. Over 80% of all fractures in people over the age of 50 are due to osteoporosis.
In addition to a large part of the adult population being diagnosed with Osteoporosis, there are 30,000 hip fractures in Canada each year. The number is expected to increase by 4 times in the next decade. One in three hip fracture patients will re-fracture within one year.
While we can work towards stronger bones, we cannot prevent accidents from happening. If you have an older adult at home, it’s essential to know first aid for fractures. Following are some of the simple steps that you’d need to follow:
What Are The Symptoms Of A Broken Bone?
One of the most apparent symptoms of a broken bone is intense pain in the affected area which may become unbearable during movement. The fractured area might also be numb from the impact. It might also show signs of swelling, visible deformity and might be visibly bruised. Other symptoms of a broken bone include bone protruding through the skin and/or heavy bleeding in the affected area.
How Can You Provide First Aid To A Fracture?
After assessing symptoms of a fracture, the care provider should immediately call for medical assistance. During the time that assistance may take to arrive, following are some of the steps you’d need to take:
Stop the Bleeding
Elevate and apply pressure to the wounded body part. To do this, you can use a sterile bandage or a clean piece of cloth.
Don’t Let Them Move
If you think that their neck or back might be fractured, you should immediately guide them to remain as still as possible. Moving these sensitive areas might increase the extent of the fracture.
If they’ve broken a limb, the first aid provider should stop them from moving it by using a splint or a sling. Padding the splint will provide comfort to the injured person.
Calm Them Down
Chances are, the injured person will be shocked from the impact. You should try to make them feel comfortable by making them sit or lie down in a position that does not put pressure on the fractured area.
In Canada, it is important to get yourself tested for Osteoporosis especially if it runs in your family. Learning how to provide first aid to fractured bones can be crucial in speeding up the recovery process. The emergency first aid training by Metro Safety in British Columbia does a great job in helping you learn about first aid for fractures! Get in touch with us today to know more!
