Crush injury
A crush injury occurs when excessive force or pressure is put on a body part. This type of injury most often happens when part of the body is squeezed between two heavy objects.
Damage related to crush injuries include:
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Bleeding
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood. Bleeding may be:Inside the body (internal)Outside the body (external)Bleeding may occur:Inside the body when blood le...
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Bruising
Bruising
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the s...
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Compartment syndrome (increased pressure, usually in an arm or leg, that causes serious muscle, nerve, blood vessel, and tissue damage)
Compartment syndrome
Acute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage a...
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Broken bone (fracture)
Broken bone
If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...
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Open wound (laceration)
Open wound
A cut is a break or opening in the skin. It is also called a laceration. A cut may be deep, smooth, or jagged. It may be near the surface of the s...
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- Infection (caused by bacteria that enter the body through a wound)
First Aid
Steps for first aid treatment of a crush injury are:
- Stop bleeding by applying direct pressure.
- Cover the area with a moist cloth or bandage. Then, raise the area above the level of the heart, if possible.
- If there is suspicion of a head, neck, or spinal injury, immobilize those areas if possible and then limit movement to only the crushed area.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number.
Crush injuries most often need to be evaluated in a hospital emergency department. Surgery may be needed.
References
Sheridan RL. Medical aspects of trauma and burns. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 97.
Tang N, Levy MJ. Tactical emergency medical support and urban search and rescue. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap e16.
Weinstein ES, Ragazzoni L. Introduction to structural collapse (crush injury and crush syndrome). In: Ciottone G, ed. Ciottone's Disaster Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 172.
Review Date: 11/2/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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