Walking out a broken leg

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Desette

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Hey Everyone

What are your opinions on a pt walking on a splinted suspected broken tib/fib, no obvious deformities, just point tenderness. Pt said he heard a crack when he put his foot in a hole. Pain 5/10.Walk is 400 yards along a cut line to the road or bring an quad with a rescue sled in.
 
Please tell you're not serious because if you are, I'm going to ask the moderators for permission to smack the crap out of you.
 
I wouldn't have him walk. A flat or stokes basket would be my first choice. Do you have access to a wheelchair of any kind?

If you have to walk the patient out have the patient put one arm around one persons neck and the same for the other arm. That will allow the patient to "walk" while only using one leg (the un-injured one)
 
I think this is more just the "We're lazy and don't want to work" sort of question. Making a suggestion that would require effort isn't going to be the advice the OP is seeking most likely.
 
Do you mean was it advisable, possible, or what?

Adviseable? Nope.
Possible? I was in on a case where a young NEbraska football player, out breaking curfew, was struck by a car, ran two blocks, went to bed, and discovered he couldn't get up to go to the bathroom a little while later. Xray showed he had a cracked femur.
 
usafmedic45 said:
Please tell you're not serious because if you are, I'm going to ask the moderators for permission to smack the crap out of you.
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Pretty much my first thought
 
Having the patient walk could possibly make the patients leg worse. When you splint something you are trying to prevent any movement. Having the patient walk is only going to make the injury move.

I messed up my knee and leg pretty good motorcycle riding and I walked back to my bike and kept riding. It didn't make my injury any better.

If you brought a patient to the hospital and told the nursing staff and the doctor you had the patient walk, you should get ready for a verbal lashing.
 
By something wrong I meant rules or being rude.

No I didn't walk him out, he wanted to walk out.
 
OP doesn't say he decided to have the subject walk out.

Might want to clarify, or change monikers...;)

If it was the subject's idea, was he high on something, very well-developed, wearing logging boots, or what? (The step in a hole variety is usually distal and could be "auto-splinted" for a while by an already tight high boot).
 
Desette said:
By something wrong I meant rules or being rude.

No I didn't walk him out, he wanted to walk out.
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You weren't rude and didn't break any rules. It was a question that, don't take me the wrong way, common sence should answer. Once again I'm not trying to be rude.
 
Remeber343 said:
Heck. Have him drive himself to the ER.
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Yeah haha. I've had patients refuse to sit on the gurney and be wheeled to the ambulance, they will just start walking straight to the ambulance. If they are worried about people seeing them on a gurney then they are good enough to drive/have some drive them to the ER and sit in triage.
 
firefite said:
. If they are worried about people seeing them on a gurney then they are good enough to drive/have some drive them to the ER and sit in triage.
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Not necessarily true. The other day, I was the second crew in for a mentally disabled 50-something SNF resident who had recent chest pain with a cardiac history, worsening CHF, and visibly cyanotic lips and lower extremities. He was, however, generally anxious and absolutely terrified at the idea of going in the back of the ambulance or even sitting on the stretcher. It took a lot of convincing to transport him. (and then it turned out to be indigestion + pushy SNF nurses + poor history)
 
MrConspiracy said:
Not necessarily true. The other day, I was the second crew in for a mentally disabled 50-something SNF resident who had recent chest pain with a cardiac history, worsening CHF, and visibly cyanotic lips and lower extremities. He was, however, generally anxious and absolutely terrified at the idea of going in the back of the ambulance or even sitting on the stretcher. It took a lot of convincing to transport him. (and then it turned out to be indigestion + pushy SNF nurses + poor history)
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However there is a difference between being terrified and just not wanting to sit on the gurney.
 
usafmedic45 said:
Please tell you're not serious because if you are, I'm going to ask the moderators for permission to smack the crap out of you.
Click to expand...

i lol'd.
 
The OP didn't make himself clear.

I think he was asking if it was physically possible, not if it was advisable. (My first impression from the title was telling someone to "walk it off" regarding a leg fx....funnier, but wrong). Geez, stop meeting raw meat.;)
 
mycrofft said:
I think he was asking if it was physically possible, not if it was advisable. (My first impression from the title was telling someone to "walk it off" regarding a leg fx....funnier, but wrong). Geez, stop meeting raw meat.;)
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That was my first impression also. "hey guys we splinted his leg, he is good. Sir can you please walk to the ambulance?".
 
mycrofft said:
I think he was asking if it was physically possible, not if it was advisable. (My first impression from the title was telling someone to "walk it off" regarding a leg fx....funnier, but wrong). Geez, stop meeting raw meat.;)
Click to expand...

Even funner when you know it's a song/dance (or was):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxjZM-d_ShI


And I "walked" with a minor fracture to my acetabellum, not without crutches though.
 
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