Boy Scouts of America

Orthopedic Injuries

SUMMARY

We all know how easy it is to turn an ankle on a rough trail with a heavy pack on our backs. Even minor injuries can quickly bring a trip to an unpleasant end. Injuries of the bones (fractures), joints (dislocations), ligaments (sprains), or muscles and tendons (strains) are common after falls, collisions, twists, or overuse. Fortunately, many of these types of injuries can be prevented.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Prevention and Incidence
Scouting involves vigorous physical activity that can put participants at risk for injury. To identify and reduce injuries, we must understand both the activity and the risks involved. Anticipate and prepare for things that might go wrong. Proper preparation includes selecting a safe site, using well-maintained equipment, providing appropriate supervision, and having the necessary supplies and knowledge to treat injuries that might occur.

Assessment of Injury
First-aid assessment of orthopedic injuries is completed with the DOTS assessment technique (Deformity/Open wound/ Tenderness/Swelling). Deformity of a bone or joint indicates a severe problem. An open wound might indicate a severe problem. Other signs of injury include localized tenderness and/or swelling, or the inability to bear weight.

Treatment of Minor Injuries
The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is the appropriate treatment for most minor soft-tissue injuries.

  • Rest—Stop using the injured area. This might include the use of a splint.
  • Ice—Apply cold therapy for 15 to 20 minutes every four hours. Never apply ice directly to the skin; instead, place a thin cloth between the ice and the skin to prevent skin damage.
  • Compression—An elastic bandage can help prevent swelling and provide support. Remember: Do not wrap it so tightly that it cuts off circulation. Be sure to check for circulation, sensation, and motion after applying the wrap and periodically thereafter. Signs to check for include decreased sensations; throbbing pain that is different from the injury; tingling, bluish or mottled skin; or a decreased pulse. If any of these signs are present, the wrap should be released and reapplied.
  • Elevation—Raise the injured extremity above the level of the heart when possible. This will help reduce swelling.

When to Seek Advanced Care

  • Any open wound directly over a deformity or other orthopedic injury requires emergency medical care. Puncture wounds also require medical care.
  • If symptoms persist (swelling, pain, deformity, or inability to bear weight), the injured person should be transported for advanced care and assessment.

First-aid kits should include a structural aluminum malleable splint (commercially called a SAM® splint) and material for padding bony prominences, as well as elastic bandages like Ace™ wraps. Encourage the people in your unit to take BSA’s wilderness first-aid course for any adventure, especially those that take place in the backcountry.

RESOURCES

 

Reviewed January 26, 2024. 

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.