The musculoskeletal system is comprised of bones, muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. It is the framework for the human body. It not only allows for shape and movement, but provides a protective structure for the internal organs. Injuries to the musculoskeletal system are very common in traumatic injuries and you should be on the lookout for them when performing your physical examination.

Bones and joints may become injured by direct force, indirect force or twisting force. Any one mechanism or a combination of several can cause damage. Injuries to muscle and bone are classified as open or closed, depending on whether or not the skin is broken. When trauma to the musculoskeletal system occurs, several different types of injuries may be present.

From a first aid perspective, it is often difficult to tell the difference between these types of musculoskeletal injuries. Sprains, strains and fractures can present quite similarly. The patient may complain of the same symptoms with each injury. Pain at the injury site, swelling or deformity, and lack of movement can indicate any or all of these musculoskeletal injuries.

Deformity in conjunction with protruding bone ends are a clear sign of a fracture. Two complications associated with fractures are damage to blood vessels and damage to nerves. Damage to blood vessels can result from the sharp ends of broken bones slicing into veins or arteries and causing excessive bleeding. Nerve damage can occur in much the same way. A lack of movement or a loss of sensation are valuable clues that point toward nerve damage.