98 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
BROKEN BONES (FRACTURES)
When a bone is broken, the most important thing to do is keep the bone in a
fixed position. This prevents further damage and lets it mend.
Before trying to move or carry a person with a broken bone, keep the bones from
moving with splints, strips of bark, or a sleeve of cardboard. Later a plaster cast can
be put on the limb at a health center, or perhaps you can make a ‘cast’ according to
local tradition (see p. 14).
Setting broken bones: If the bones seem more or less in the right position, it is
better not to move them—this could do more harm than good.
If the bones are far out of position and the break is recent, you can try to ‘set’ or
straighten them before putting on cast. The sooner the bones are set, the easier it
will be. Before setting, if possible inject or give diazepam to relax the muscles and
calm pain (see p. 389). Or give codeine (p. 383).
HOW TO SET A BROKEN WRIST
Pull the hand with a slow, steady force for 5 to 10 minutes,
increasing the force, to separate the bones.
With one person still pulling the hand, have another gently
line up and straighten the bones.
WARNING: It is possible to do a lot of damage while trying to set a bone. Ideally,
it should be done with the help of someone with experience. Do not jerk or
force.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR BROKEN BONES TO HEAL?
The worse the break or the older the person, the longer healing takes. Children’s
bones mend rapidly. Those of old people sometimes never join. A broken arm
should be kept in a cast for about a month, and no force put on it for another month.
A broken leg should remain in a cast for about 2 months.