First Aid for Crush Injury

First Aid for Crush Injury

Article
Bone, Muscle, & Joint
First Aid
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHMar 03, 2018

What is Crush Injury? 

  • A Crush Injury may be described as an injury caused when a body part is caught or squeezed between (or comes under) heavy objects, such as a boulder, steel girder, or an automobile
  • The force or pressure on the body part is such that it results in excruciating pain, bruising, bleeding, broken bones, and injury to the nerves. In most incidents, localized tissue injury is only observed

What are the Causes of Crush Injury?

Crush Injuries are caused by a variety of factors including:

  • Fall injuries (especially if the individuals are heavy or overweight)
  • Automobile and sports-related injuries
  • Occupational hazard related, while working with mechanical equipment or tools
  • Hands or fingers getting jammed in doors and windows
  • Dropping heavy objects onto the foot
  • House or building collapse from natural or manmade disasters

Some injuries are minor, while others may be major resulting in serious harm and even death.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Crush Injury?

The common signs and symptoms in case of a minor Crush Injury may include:

  • Moderate pain
  • Bruising, bleeding
  • Hairline fractures
  • Often, an isolated body part or limb is involved

The signs and symptoms in case of a major Crush Injury may additionally include:

  • Severe pain and severe bleeding
  • Open wound injury
  • Obvious visual deformities
  • Fractures that may be severe or compound; broken bones may be visible
  • Crushed skin tissue, muscles, and bones; nerve damage
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Hypothermia (reduction of body temperature)
  • Numbness and paralysis of the affected region
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Multiple body parts or systems may be affected

Severe Crush Injuries may have complications including crush syndrome, fat embolism, rhabdomyolysis (severe damage of muscles), infection, and shock.

How is First Aid administered for Crush Injury?

First Aid tips for Crush Injuries include:

  • Calling 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately, if:
    • The Crush Injury is a result of a major trauma or motor vehicle accident
    • There is heavy bleeding from the injury site and mangled body part(s)
    • A head, neck, back, or hip injury is suspected
    • The end of the limb, finger, or toe, is insensitive or turning blue
    • There are signs of shock or the affected individual has difficulty breathing
    • The individual is unable to move or is unconscious
  • If the individual is still trapped beneath the compressive force/object, try to remove it as safely as you can without causing further injuries to the affected individual
  • Else, wait for help from a professionally-trained team. In the meantime, try to keep the injured individual calm and comforted
  • For minor cases of Crush Injuries, the following may be considered:
    • Clean visible wounds with water
    • Apply an ice pack to injury site to reduce swelling and pain; do not apply ice directly to the skin, wrap it up in a cloth or towel
    • Stop any bleeding by applying pressure, using a sterile dressing or a clean cloth
    • In case of a fracture, try to immobilize the site (if you are trained to do so)
  • If arterial bleeding is suspected and medical assistance is not immediately available, use of a tourniquet may be appropriate
  • A tetanus shot may be necessary, in case of an open cut/wound
  • Take the individual to emergency room (ER) for further treatment, as quickly as possible

Who should administer First Aid for Crush Injury?

  • Any individual, in close vicinity of the injured person, can provide immediate comfort and first aid, but one must seek medical help in almost all cases of Crush Injuries
  • In case of a severe injury, calling 911 (or your local emergency number) is the first and immediate line of action

What is the Prognosis of Crush Injury?

  • The prognosis for a Crush Injury varies widely and depends on:
    • The body part(s) involved and the extent of injury
    • Age of the victim and the presence of any underlying condition(s)
    • Severity of the trauma associated with the Crush Injury
  • Minor cases have a much better prognosis than moderate to severe Crush Injury cases. Often, in the case of a major injury, the treatment may be prolonged and necessitate multiple surgeries and physical therapy, to repair damaged tissues, tendons, and nerves
  • In case of an injury due to a severe compressive force, delayed treatment, and/or the setting in of compartment syndrome, the prognosis may be guarded. It can result in permanent limb injury (or injury to the affected part), amputation, or even be fatal

How can Crush Injury be Prevented?

A few helpful tips to prevent Crush Injuries:

  • Utilize suitable PPE (personal protective equipment) while performing certain dangerous activities, outdoor activities, or sports
  • Carefully supervise children at parks and playgrounds
  • Use seatbelts in motor vehicles
  • Add safety features, such as non-slick patches and handrails to the stairs, to avoid fall injuries

What are certain Crucial Steps to be followed?

  • If the individual is feeling faint, turning grey, or breathing in short rapid bursts, treat for shock by loosening any restrictive clothing and elevating the legs above the head, if the injury is not in the lower extremities
  • Do NOT attempt to move any individual with a suspected head, neck, or back injury; or, if you suspect a broken hip or pelvis
  • Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, if the injury is severe or the individual is still trapped beneath the object or structure
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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