First aid for bones, and muscles

With a sprain the joint swells and hurts. First aid: rest the injured part, apply cold (ice wrapped in cloth or a cold wet towel) and see a doctor. With a dislocation there is strong pain in the joint: do not push it back yourself; keep it still in a comfortable position and call emergency help (103) or take the person to a doctor. With a fracture the spot is very painful, swollen and sometimes misshapen; in a closed fracture the skin is intact, in an open fracture the skin is broken and there is a wound. The key rule: do not move the broken part and call 103. In an open fracture cover the wound with a clean cloth and do not try to push a protruding bone back; if there is bleeding, press on the cloth. A splint should be applied by a trained adult; with a spine or head injury keep the person as still as possible and wait for the ambulance.