How NOT to Treat a Dislocated Thumb
Many years ago, whilst on holiday in Norfolk with friends (including a doctor) I fell over and dislocated my thumb. I knew it was dislocated because it was sticking out a strange angle and very painful. I decided to go to A and E once I had had a sleep and driven home, I had promised my mother that I would have lunch with her and a guest from France. It was painful driving home and even more painful eating with a knife and fork and eventually I put down my cutlery and took myself to hospital. This was nearly a day after dislocating it!
I went into the hospital and immediately was ushered into a room where I was given painkillers and my thumb was put back into place. I was very lucky, by delaying treatment I risked damage to the joint, nerves and surrounding tissues. I was a lot younger and didn’t work in first aid at the time.
Now I know how to treat a dislocation and it is as follows (particularly important for anyone who decides to take a holiday in Norfolk with me):
- Follow DRABC (you can learn more about this on a first aid course)
- Immobilise the injury in a position of least discomfort (for example a thumb injury could be immobilised with buddy taping)
- If there is an open wound – cover with a sterile dressing
- Reassure the casualty and treat for shock (you will learn about this on your practical day but please read about it here)
- Send them to hospital for an x-ray
- Call emergency services if needed
Never attempt to push a dislocation back into place
