Wound is a break in the continuity of the skin, mucous membrane or a tissue as a result of injury
It can be superficial or may affect the blood vessels, muscles, nerves and bones.
CAUSES OF WOUNDS
• Accident
• Act of violence
• Surgery
CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS
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Mechanism of Injury
Degree of Contamination
1. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANISM OF INJURY
a) Open wounds
b) Close wounds
TYPES OF OPEN WOUNDS
In this type, the ligament and blood vessels etc. are open to the outside. The breaks in the
continuity of the skin are open to the outside. Examples;
1. Incision wound: made by a clean cut of a sharp instrument, such as a surgical incision with
a scalpel.
2. Laceration: made by an object that tears tissues, producing jagged, irregular edges;
examples include glass, jagged wire, and blunt knife.
3. Puncture wound: made by a pointed instrument, such as needle,an ice pick, bullet, or nail.
Abrasion: a wound caused by scraping the skin against a hard surface
4. Stab Wound: type of punctured wound caused by sharp object.
5. Missile wound: type of punctured wound caused by a bullet or sharp
6. Avulsion: A wound in which there is a partial or complete tearing away of a piece of skin
with or without attached muscles.
TYPES OF CLOSED WOUND
Blister
It is a superficial wound that occurs following a chemical or thermal irritation of the skin.
Contused
made by blunt force that typically does not break the skin but causes considerable tissue damage
with
bruising and swelling.
Sprain
Sprain is the forceful wrenching of a joint with partial rupture or injury to a tendon or a ligament.
Here bones are not dislocated at the joint. Signs include pain, discolouration, loss of function,
and tenderness.