The general practitioner is concerned with two aspects of fracture case- 1. First aid treatment and

2. Aftercare of plastered patient.

First Aid:

Inj. FORTWIN 1cc IM. I.V. stat (Strong Analgesic)

If B.P. is low start a fast I.V. drip of DNS or RL.

If there is a open wound near the fracture site, clean it thoroughly and cover it sterile dressing.

Immobilize the limb with a wooden splint. Splint should be long enough to fix one joint above and one joint below the fracture.

Shift the patient to a Orthopedic surgeon.

If you suspect fracture of spine= severe backache or limb weakness or paraplegia. Supervise the patient shifting personally. Three persons should lift the patient without moving the spine and patient should be kept on hard wooden board.

Care after plaster:

First 2-3 days watch for distal edema on Fingers/ Toes. Keep the limb elevated, and if edema does not subside with elevation refer back as -? Tight plaster- for slitting.

If there is increasing pain, or if finger’s show change of color to white or blue, consider it an absolute emergency. Take the patient immediately and personally to orthopedic surgeon for immediate removal of plaster. Delay of 2-3 hours may cause gangrene!

Encourage the patient to keep his muscles active.

Joints that are outside the plaster should be moved through full range, repeatedly.

Patient should concentrate and contract the muscles that are inside the plaster to minimize their wasting and preserve their power.