Facial Injury - Jaw Fracture and Dislocation

This represents one of the most common facial fractures. Jaw (MANDIBULAR) fractures, occur commonly as a result of the application of blunt force (e.g. fist).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF JAW FRACTURE

malocclusion (teeth do not meet their appropriate counterparts on closure) abnormal motion or mobility of the fracture fragments decreased range of motion of the jaw (opening and closing, cannot chew) welling and bruising to the face numbness to the chin deviation on opening positive x-rays Mandibular fractures may cause marked swelling under the tongue. For thisreason, some concern is given to the adequate functioning of the airway

(breathing). The strong association with NECK INJURIES (cervical fractures) cannot be disregarded. Quite often, there will be associated lacerations and bleeding within the mouth. In these cases, aspiration (breathing in) of vomit or blood is a possibility. Any history of loss of consciousness should alert the physician to the possibility of head injury. Treatment of mandibular fractures will be based on the type of fracture that is present. Frequently, the jaw must be wired with arch bars to realign the
fractured bone, allowing for healing. Many times, nondisplaced facial fractures will heal without surgical fixation. Tetanus vaccination [within the last 5 years] is important for any fracture associated with oral lacerations. Antibiotics are often included in the care, due to the possibility of oral bacterial contamination at the fracture site. Hospitalization for surgical correction is typical. The jaw will be fixed in a closed position for approximately 6 weeks.

JAW DISLOCATION

Some mandibular injuries will appear with deformities, inability to close the mouth, pain, and swelling due to mandibular DISLOCATION. This can occur as a result of trauma to the chin when the mouth is open, or can also occur during yawning. Treatment focuses on reduction (positioning) of the dislocation by the physician. Generally, anti-spasmodic medications are given to relax the jaw muscles. The physician can successfully relocate the jaw through manual manipulation. Soft diet, analgesics, and muscle relaxants reduce pain during the acute healing phase. The patient is cautioned against wide opening of the mouth.


12 Hip Dislocation
12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
 i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness

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