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Crush injury

Definition

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:

• Bleeding

• Bruising

• Compartment syndrome (increased pressure, usually in an arm or leg, that causes serious muscle, nerve, blood vessel, and tissue damage)

• Broken bone (fracture)

• Open wound (laceration)

• Nerve injury

• 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.