A broken or fractured bone occurs when a force exerted against the bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand. Broken bones may be as a result of:
- a direct blow
- repeated blows
- a twisting force
- disease that affects the strength of the bone
- ongoing impact and stress on an area of the bone potentially causing a break referred to as a stress fracture, for example a lower leg fracture from running.
A crush injury is the result of a body part being forcefully compressed between two objects.
Symptoms and characteristics:
There are different types of bone fractures that are defined by the number of bones affected and their position. All fractures are described in terms of:
- location of the bone in the body (anatomic location)
- direction of the fracture lines
- relation of the bone pieces to each other
- the stability of the fracture
- the amount of soft tissue damage around the fracture.
Common sites for bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip. Hip fractures occur most often in elderly people.
A minor crush injury may involve a finger or toe, however often crush injuries involve a general area of the body and may affect multiple body parts. Location of injury, severity, length of treatment required and any medical complications can impact the outcome of a crush injury. Crush injuries can cause damage to soft tissues, nerves, blood vessels and bones. Psychological trauma is also common.
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
As each fracture or crush wound is unique, individual circumstances would need to be considered within the workplace and alterations to duties or the work environment made accordingly. Some suggestions to assist those with a fracture or crush injury to manage better in the workplace include:
- modifying workstation set up to adapt to individual injuries
- providing and adjusting an ergonomic chair or stool to individual needs
- changing work routine to build in regular changes in posture or allow for rest breaks
- education in the use of correct manual handling techniques compensating for the existing injury
- considering the use of lifting or mechanical aids such as trolleys to minimise lifting requirements
- plaster cast management plan if working in a wet environment or in contact with food or other substances where strict hygiene requirements apply
- providing part time or flexible work hours to assist with managing fatigue and treatment requirements.
Employers of people with disability may be eligible for free workplace assessments and modifications through the Workplace Modifications Scheme. The Workplace Modification Scheme pays for the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special equipment for employees with disability. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
Specific workplace solutions and adjustments related to fractures and crush injuries include:
(Better Health Channel 2008; MDA Internet 2005).
References:
Better Health Channel 2008, Bone fractures, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 7 November 2008, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Bone_fractures?OpenDocument
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 25 February 2007, http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)