Traumatic Wounds Types, Evaluation, & Treatment in Lubbock, TX

Traumatic Wound Treatment in Lubbock, TX

Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic injury accounts for an estimated 79,000 deaths in children and adults younger than age 45 each year. A traumatic wound or injury is a physical injury that occurs suddenly. Traumatic wounds are usually very severe and require immediate medical attention.

Traumatic Wounds in Lubbock, TX

A traumatic wound may cause systemic shock or trauma and require immediate resuscitation and interventions to save the patient’s life.

Types of Traumatic Wounds

There are many types of traumatic wounds. These include:

Abrasions
Lacerations
Skin tears
Injuries from accidents
Burns
Non-healing wounds
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Spine fractures
Facial trauma
Acoustic trauma
Crush injury
Concussion
Broken bone
Broken or dislocated jaw
Skull fracture
Cuts and puncture wounds
Collapsed lung
Myocardial contusion
Electrical injury
Hypovolemic shock
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subdural hematoma

Causes of Traumatic Wounds

Traumatic wounds can be caused by a variety of external forces which impact the body.

Traumatic wounds may be caused by motor vehicle collisions, road traffic accidents, sports injuries, falls, natural disasters, and many other physical injuries leading to chronic wounds. Traumatic wounds can occur at home, on the sports field, on the street, on the highway, or at work.

Treatment of Traumatic Wounds in Lubbock, Tx

Traumatic wounds usually require immediate treatment. First aid treatment is generally provided before the patient is taken to the hospital. The particular type of traumatic wound sustained will determine the specific wound treatment that will be provided.

Treatment for traumatic wounds includes:

1. Controlling Bleeding

Blooding is a significant concern when an individual suffers from traumatic wounds. Blood loss can lead to severe complications if not timely controlled.
While bleeding should be paid serious attention to, there are other possible more severe injuries that a patient with traumatic injury may sustain. A quick examination of the patient should be performed to ensure that there are no serious injuries that may be life-threatening.
The first way to reduce bleeding is to apply direct pressure on the wound site. A dressing and a gloved hand can apply firm and direct pressure to the wound. Pressure will be applied to the wound until the bleeding slows down and other treatments are provided.
A tourniquet may be used when applying direct pressure does not reduce bleeding. A tourniquet is used to manage blood loss. A tourniquet is painful, but it is necessary to prevent life-threatening blood loss.
After the bleeding has been controlled, the patient will be taken to the hospital or clinic for advanced treatments.

2. Punctures

Punctures pose a significant risk to a patient who has sustained a traumatic wound. Puncture wounds may penetrate deeper into tissue and injure the nerves, muscles, tendons, or blood vessels.
Puncture wounds may carry germs deep into an injury, resulting in infections. Evaluating a puncture wound as soon as possible is crucial to preventing severe conditions.
Puncture wounds are usually caused by impaled objects penetrating the tissue. Impaled things must be left in place until the patient is taken to a hospital, where advanced treatment is provided.

3. Head Injuries

Head injuries are common with traumatic injuries. Head injuries can be severe and life-threatening if not timely treated. Head injuries can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, confusion, headaches, and memory loss.

A person with a head injury from a traumatic injury should be evaluated as soon as possible by a physician. The person should be protected from further damage by stabilizing the head and neck before being transported to a hospital or clinic for advanced medical care.

4. Spine Injuries

Spine injuries usually accompany head injuries. A person with a traumatic injury should be evaluated for possible spine injury. The person should be protected against the further spine and spinal cord injury. The neck and head should be stabilized before being transported to a hospital or clinic for advanced medical care.

5. Bone and Joint Injuries

These injuries are common occurrences in victims of traumatic wounds. If a bone or joint is fractured, twisted, or broken, efforts should be made to stabilize the bone or joint.

First aid responders should not attempt to manipulate or correct a fractured, twisted, broken bone or joint. Gauze and other protective equipment should be used to protect the broken or fractured bone until the victim is transported to a hospital or clinic for advanced medical care.

Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Wounds

When the victim gets to the hospital or clinic, evaluation and management of the traumatic wound will commence immediately.
Wound exploration will commence immediately. Evaluating the depth of the wound will require a complete examination of the surrounding structures, including tendons and joints.
To determine if there is any nerve injury, a focused neurological exam distal to the wound should be conducted. A vascular exam will help evaluate the distal pulses, skin color, tactile temperature, and capillary refill. The joints, tendons, and ligaments will be assessed for tendon, ligament, or joint injury.
The wound will also be explored for the presence of dirt, foreign bodies, or devitalized tissue that can cause infection or delay the healing of the wound. Foreign bodies, dirt, and devitalized tissue will be removed as soon as possible.
The wound will be debrided if required to remove dead and dry tissue from its surface. The wound will then be cleaned gently and thoroughly.
A plain film radiograph will be obtained if a wound is likely to retain foreign bodies like broken glass, road rash, metal fragments, or other substances that may have penetrated the wound. A plain film radiograph can detect foreign objects in a wound not seen with the naked eye.
The wound will also be explored and inspected for the presence of any necrotic or nonvascularized tissue or heavily macerated tissue. Any substance that can cause bacteria growth and infections in the wound should be removed.
The open wound should be dressed and bandaged to prevent dirt and bacteria from getting in. Dressing the wound also allows the wound to heal quickly.
Antibacterial medications will be given to prevent bacterial infection. Pain medications like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium will be given to relieve pain.

Southwest Wound Care: Best Clinic for Treatment of Traumatic Wounds in Lubbock, TX

Treatment of Traumatic Wounds in Lubbock, TX

If you have a traumatic wound, timely and proper treatment can help prevent your wound from worsening. Your wound will get healed as soon as possible if treatment is provided by an experienced wound care specialist.

Southwest Wound Care is a wound care center where various comprehensive wound treatments are provided. Southwest Wound Care is the best clinic for traumatic wound treatment in Lubbock, TX. We will make sure you are comfortable and get the best treatments and services.