How to Identify a Crushing Injury

A crushing injury occurs when two objects compress a part of the body. Crushing injuries are common in sports, during a car accident or other major accident, and in the home. Minor crushing injuries include slamming your finger in a door or shutting your toe in the closet door. These are usually easily treatable. Major crushing injuries might require surgery, and definitely require immediate medical attention. There are some common signs when trying to identify if you or someone else suffers from a crushing injury.

Instructions

• 1

  Focus attention to the part of the body that experienced the compression. A crushing injury commonly causes broken bones, so look for disfigured bone structure or bleeding from a compound fracture.

• 2

  Look for swelling or bruising at the site of the compression. These symptoms can occur immediately following the crushing injury or appear the next day. Swelling in the abdomen indicates possible damage of the liver or intestines.

• 3

  Pay attention to any numbness you feel around the area of a crushing injury. If someone else is hurt, ask him if any places are numb or tingling.

• 4

  See a doctor if you experienced compression on your body, followed by muscle soreness or tenderness. Constant pain that won’t go away with common treatments, such as elevation and ice packs, indicates a crushing injury.

• 5

  Watch for severe swelling of the skin or large red patches that indicate bleeding under the skin. This condition, known as compartment syndrome, is a serious symptom caused by crushing injuries and requires surgery.