Regarding the management of traumatic injuries, the following points should be noted:
1. After an injury occurs, the most critical step is to rule out fractures. Even minor injuries can sometimes involve avulsion fractures or stress fractures in elderly individuals or due to specific force application. These are often mistaken for mere muscle strains and overlooked, delaying timely treatment.Therefore, whenever an injury presents with localized tenderness, severe pain, or percussion pain—such as heel percussion causing fracture site pain in a supine position after lower limb injury—an X-ray must be taken to rule out fractures. If fractures are excluded, the following trauma medications may be selected based on clinical symptoms of ligament injury.
2. For acute soft tissue sprains or strains (e.g., muscle or ligament tears), apply Keshangtong Ointment—which promotes blood circulation, dissipates blood stasis, reduces swelling, and relieves pain—to the affected area. Massage until warmth develops, repeating two to three times daily. Alternatively, apply Shangtongning Plaster to the site. Concurrently, take oral medications with potent blood-activating and analgesic effects, such as Huoxuetongzhuang Powder or Dushen Huoxue Tablets.Oral medications may be taken with warm rice wine or warm water. 3. For minor joint contusions, joint sprains, or rheumatic bone pain, apply Du Huo Zhi Tong Ointment to the affected area twice daily. This ointment alleviates pain, reduces swelling, and disperses blood stasis. Alternatively, apply Hong Hua Oil to the affected area 4 to 6 times daily. Concurrently, take Die Da Pills or Die Da Shen Shang Pills orally.If lip numbness occurs after taking Trauma Pills, reduce dosage. Alternatively, crush the pills, mix with white liquor, apply to the affected area, and secure with a bandage.If swelling and pain persist or worsen significantly after 3 days of using trauma medication, seek prompt medical attention.
Regarding how to handle trauma injuries, the following countermeasures are listed:
1. In the absence of external wounds, apply local cold therapy—such as ice packs, ice water bags, or Yunnan Baiyao spray—for initial treatment.Wrap ice or cold packs in a towel before applying externally. This helps constrict blood vessels, reduce local congestion, and alleviate pain and swelling in acute closed soft tissue injuries like contusions or joint ligament strains. If bleeding occurs, clean the wound first and apply medication or bandaging as needed. Then perform cryotherapy around the wound.
2. Cold therapy is effective on the day of injury and within 24 hours. After this period, switch to heat therapy to reduce swelling. Heat primarily promotes local vasodilation, improves blood circulation, and accelerates swelling reduction, bruise dissipation, and tissue repair. A common method involves soaking a towel in hot water or warm vinegar and applying it to the affected area for approximately 30 minutes per session.Alternatively, apply topical medications that promote blood circulation and soothe muscles, such as trauma liniment, safflower oil, or invigorating liniment, and gently massage the area. Heat therapy is suitable for the middle and late stages of acute closed soft tissue injuries, as well as chronic injuries.
3. Minor trauma injuries affecting only the skin typically heal within a short period and require only general dietary management. Severe injuries involving tendon or bone damage, excessive bleeding leading to blood deficiency and qi depletion, or even internal organ damage necessitate hospital treatment supplemented by dietary therapy.
Related Reading: Medications for Trauma Injuries | ABCs of First Aid for Children's Accidental Injuries