Lumbar fracture and inability to urinate or defecate

The lumbar spine is directly related to all aspects of our body. It not only affects our normal walking, but also our daily physiological activities. Therefore, if a lumbar fracture occurs, it is very likely that our daily life will not be able to continue normally. Sometimes after a lumbar fracture, people may even become unable to take care of their own urination and defecation. At this time, they need to take proper care of their bodies.

1. First aid measures for lumbar fracture:

1. If the thoracic and lumbar spine is fractured, make the injured person lie flat on a hard bed, stuff pillows, bricks, and clothes on both sides of the body to fix the spine in an upright position. Three people are required to work at the same time when transporting the patient. The specific method is: three people squat on one side of the injured person, one person supports the shoulders and back, one person supports the waist and hips, and one person supports the lower limbs. They work together to place the patient in a supine position on a hard stretcher, and pad the waist with clothes and mattresses.

2. Bandage the wound on the body, rinse the wound, stop bleeding, and bandage it.

3. Complete or incomplete fracture injuries should be fixed on the spot and complications should be prevented and treated. In particular, the fastest means of transport to the hospital should be adopted and the patient should be closely observed during the escort.

(1) In case of suspected spinal fracture or spinal cord injury, first aid should be given immediately according to the requirements for spinal fracture.

(2) During transportation, hard beds, stretchers, and door panels should be used instead of soft beds. It is forbidden to carry the person on one person's back. It should be carried by 2 to 4 people to prevent aggravation of the injury to the spine and spinal cord.

(3) When carrying the injured person, keep his lower limbs close together and his upper limbs close to his waist, and keep his body in a straight line.

4. When the chest, waist or abdomen are injured, a small pillow or piece of clothing should be placed under the waist during transportation.

2. What are the nursing procedures for lumbar fractures?

1. Functional exercise:

For patients receiving conservative treatment, the necessity and importance of lying on a hard bed and early back muscle exercises should be explained in detail to gain their cooperation. A thick pillow can be placed on the fracture site to hyperextend the spine, and the treatment goal can be achieved through lumbar and back muscle exercises. After the incision drainage tube is removed, patients undergoing surgical treatment can perform contraction and relaxation exercises on the quadriceps femoris on both sides of the lower limbs and gradually start strength training of the waist and back muscles. It should be done according to the patient's age, injury, physical condition and mental state. Strive to fully meet functional training requirements within 3-6 weeks after injury.

2. Self-psychological adjustment:

After 2-3 months of the disease, some functions of paraplegic patients improve slowly, and they are prone to despair that they will never recover and will become disabled. At this time, the patient's self-psychological adjustment ability and the care and encouragement of family members are particularly important. Nurses should inform patients that functional recovery of such diseases requires a long process. With the cooperation of patients and their families, they should develop an effective rehabilitation plan and training methods for patients, explain the expected goals, enhance patients' confidence, and recommend that those who are eligible transfer to community rehabilitation treatment.

3. Prevent lung infection:

Paraplegic patients may develop aspiration pneumonia due to long-term bed rest with few changes in body position and shallow breathing. Change body positions frequently to allow the lungs to move on their own; encourage patients to do whole-body exercises, such as chest expansion exercises, deep breathing, effective coughing movements, and regular turning over and patting the back to promote the elimination of secretions and phlegm in the lungs.