See Figure 4-1 for detailed
illustration.
a. Closed Fracture. A closed fracture is a broken bone
that does not break the overlying skin. Tissue beneath the skin may
be damaged. A dislocation is when a joint, such as a knee,
ankle, or shoulder, is not in proper position. A sprain is
when the connecting tissues of the joints have been torn.
Dislocations and sprains should be treated as
closed fractures.
b. Open Fracture. An open fracture is a broken bone that
breaks (pierces) the overlying skin. The broken bone may come through
the skin, or a missile such as a bullet or shell fragment may go
through the flesh and break the bone. An open fracture is
contaminated and subject to infection.
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