An early morning admission brought a post motorbike crash patient through the doors of the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital ER. The patient was initially treated by paramedics on the scene of the incident, stabilized, immobilized and safely transported to the waiting ER. The patient sustained deep abrasions of the hands, knees and lower extremities. Further injuries included injury to the ligaments of the left knee.
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What are abrasions? The skin is composed of an outer layer (the epidermis) which provides protection, and a deep inner layer (the dermis), which provides the firmness and flexibility. Abrasions (also known as road rash) typically refer to an injury that removes these layers of skin. Abrasion injuries are most commonly seen on the hands and knees, and are often associated with a fall during motion. This injury profile is commonly seen in cyclists and motorcyclists. |
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Whilst one is able to treat abrasions safely and effectively at home, severe abrasions should be seen and cleaned by a physician. The conventional treatment for abrasions includes a thorough cleaning of the wound with mild soap water or a mild antiseptic wash. Because this type of wound is prone to infection, the area is required to be cleaned free of any dirt or debris that may have adhered to the injured surface. The area must be completely clean which may necessitate a gentle scrub. A hard scrubbing of the wound may cause further tissue damage. Deep abrasions may require surgical interventions such as skin grafts.
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Once the area is cleaned, a dressing with a semipermeable membrane is used to cover the wound. This dressing will be required to be changed every few days, and aids in keeping the wound moist until fully healed. This will help promote tissue formation as well as aiding in protecting the injured area from further infection and scarring. |
Safety tips for and general guidelines for driving a motorcycle safely from MSF...
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.
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