We may have to face an accident at an unexpected time. At such a time, there is a high chance that a serious injury will turn our whole life upside down. In medical terms, we call such injuries `(Traumatic Injury)`. This is a very serious and life-threatening condition. So, it is very important for everyone to be properly informed about this.
Simply put, what is a traumatic injury?
Simply put, a ``Traumatic Injury'' is any physical injury that occurs as a result of an accident and that can cause serious damage to the body, sometimes even life-threatening. For example, an injury that causes excessive bleeding or a serious head injury falls into this category.
In fact, such injuries are very common in Sri Lanka. A large proportion of patients admitted to hospital emergency departments (ETUs) on any given day have suffered such injuries. These injuries can occur at home, at work, or while driving or walking on the road.
Falls and car accidents are often the main causes of these serious injuries. It can also be caused by violent acts such as assaults, stabbings, or shootings.
The most important thing is that a serious injury like this is a medical emergency . If you think you or someone else has been seriously injured, take them to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
An accident like this is a life-changing event. It affects not only you, but also your family members who care for you. It takes time to recover from an injury like this. The healing process can be slow. Therefore, it is very important that you are patient with yourself and those around you.
Are there any serious types of injuries?
Yes, doctors classify these injuries based on how they occurred and the effect they have on the body. There are three main types. Let's look at this to make it easier to understand.
| Type of injury | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Blunt force trauma | This is the most common type. It occurs when something hits the body very hard. For example, falling from a height, being hit by a vehicle, or being hit hard by something. This can cause broken bones, internal bleeding, deep wounds, and severe head injuries (severe concussion). |
| Injuries caused by sudden deceleration (Deceleration trauma) | Imagine you are in a car that is moving at high speed and suddenly crashes into something. Your body is also moving forward at the same speed and is hit. If your head hits the steering wheel, the brain inside your head can bounce back and forth against your skull. This can cause serious brain damage. |
| Penetrating trauma | This occurs when something sharp penetrates the skin and enters the body. Examples include a knife stab or a gunshot wound. This type of injury can also occur when a sharp object (such as a wire) is pulled down or falls on, or when it is shattered by shrapnel in an explosion. |
How does a doctor decide that this is a "major serious injury"?
Generally, if multiple life-threatening injuries occur simultaneously in multiple locations on the body, it is considered a "major serious injury." Doctors use a standard method to measure the severity of these injuries. It is called the Injury Severity Score (ISS) .
This system helps doctors make treatment decisions by looking at every patient in the same way. For example, this scoring system helps them decide whether to keep a patient in the hospital or transfer them to another hospital for specialist treatment.
How do you give these marks?
Doctors consider two main factors:
- Number of wounds: Record how many wounds there are in several major parts of the body (head and neck, face, throat, abdomen and pelvis, hands and feet, and skin).
- Severity of the injury: The injury is assessed as minor, moderate, serious, very serious, critical, or incurable. The more serious the injury, the higher the score.
Based on these factors, the three main areas of the body with the most serious injuries are identified, scored, and finally an ISS score is calculated. An ISS score of 15 or higher is considered a major serious injury.
What other medical conditions can be caused by injuries like this?
A serious injury can lead to a variety of medical conditions. Some of them include:
- Broken bones , including spinal fractures.
- Collapsed lung.
- Deep cuts.
- Electric shock.
- Flail chest.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious injury to the head, such as a fractured skull or bleeding into the brain.
- Excessive bleeding (Hemorrhage).
- Hypovolemic shock is a condition caused by a drop in blood pressure.
- Spinal cord injuries .
- Internal bleeding due to damage to internal organs (e.g. pancreas, spleen).
- Traumatic amputation is the loss of a limb, such as an arm or leg, due to an accident.
- Aorta, a major blood vessel, ruptures.
How is treatment provided in the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?
Once a patient is brought to the emergency room, the medical team quickly takes action and takes the basic steps necessary to save life. This process is known as the ABCDE method.
| Steps | What is being done |
|---|---|
| A - Airway | The first thing to do is to check whether the patient can breathe properly and whether the airway is blocked. |
| B - Breathing | Breathing is checked. A condition such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is checked. The endotracheal tube is checked to make sure it is in place properly. |
| C - Circulation | If there are wounds that are bleeding externally, they are treated immediately. They are also checked for signs of internal bleeding and whether the patient is going into shock. |
| D - Disability (Nervous Disorder) | The necessary tests are being performed to determine if there is damage to the nervous system or spinal cord. |
| E - Exposure (full test) | Remove all of the patient's clothing and carefully examine the entire body to make sure that no invisible wounds have been missed. |
Doctors always treat the most life-threatening injuries first. Often, a specialist surgeon performs emergency surgery to manage life-threatening injuries or conditions.
The treatment you receive will depend on the nature of your injuries. You may also need to seek the help of orthopedic specialists and neurosurgeons.
Treatment should be continued throughout the recovery period. For example:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Providing psychological support - to help with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Can't accidents like this be prevented?
Accidents cannot be prevented 100% of the time. However, there are things we can do to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident. For example, car accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries.
Always wear a seat belt when riding in a vehicle. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or under the influence of any medication that makes you drowsy, even if prescribed by a doctor. These simple things can save your life.
A serious injury can happen in an instant. But it can take months, even years, to fully recover. While physical injuries heal, emotional wounds take time to heal. If you are struggling alone with the effects of an accident like this, please seek help from your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Traumatic Injury refers to serious injuries that can be life-threatening or even fatal.
- Falls and car accidents are the main causes of these.
- An injury like this is a medical emergency. Take the patient to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- The healing process takes time. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
- By following safety measures (e.g. wearing seat belts, avoiding drinking and driving), you can reduce the risk of accidents.
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