Wilderness Orthopedics: Managing Trauma in Remote Environments with Dr. Chris Healy

In this episode of Wilderness Medicine Updates, host Dr. Patrick Fink tackles orthopedic injuries in the wilderness with Dr. Chris Healy, an orthopedic surgeon and outdoor enthusiast. They explore the management of long bone fractures, traction for femur, pelvic binders, and the nuances of treating injuries in limited-resource environments. The episode covers strategies for handling common injuries like shoulder dislocations, tibia fractures, knee injuries, and how to prioritize care. They also emphasize the importance of timely evacuation and when and how to safely attempt reductions in the field.

Links:

Donate to the Tina Biddle Memorial Scholarship

Sulcus sign / Squaring of the shoulder

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:36 Tribute to Tina Biddle
04:09 Meet Dr. Chris Healy
05:11 Ski Patrol Background and Pre-Hospital Care
08:12 Approaching Orthopedic Injuries in the Field
17:50 Managing Tibia and Fibula Fractures
21:40 Understanding Compartment Syndrome
27:50 Femur Fractures and Traction Splinting
36:57 Pelvic Fractures: Identification and Management
38:41 Understanding Pelvic Fractures and Binders
39:53 The Role of Pelvic Binders in Pre-Hospital Care
41:11 Challenges with Pelvic Binders in the Field
43:15 Proper Placement of Pelvic Binders
46:36 Field Management of Shoulder Dislocations
50:43 Techniques for Reducing Shoulder Dislocations
54:17 Managing Upper Extremity Injuries
57:51 Handling Knee Injuries in the Field
01:00:37 Patella vs. Knee Dislocations
01:08:06 Evacuation Priorities for Knee Dislocations
01:10:53 Common Issues in Pre-Hospital Orthopedic Care
01:15:36 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

As always, thanks for listening to Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink MD FAWM.

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