Walking out a broken leg

wait what???

he only has one broken leg.

why not just let him hop the 400 yards on his non-broken leg?

problem solved, now what's for dinner?
 
If I was in the woods camping with just me and a buddy and someone broke a leg, I'd seriously consider doing an assisted walk out after splinting it. In this case, the only reason I'd want to make that decision is that I'm weighing the risk of further injury to the leg versus the risk of calling out an entire rescue team to carry him out (which, depending on the situation and terrain, could put quite a few people at risk). If I can get him out myself in a reasonable amount of time with relatively low risk of further injury to him or me, I'm going to just do it.

Of course, in the situation where I get called to deal with the injury in an EMS capacity, no way in hell I'm walking that patient out.
 
Depending on the injury, environment, manpower and resources, walking or assisting a walk may be the best option.
 
Never carried any of my athletes off the ice or field, their teammates and I helped them walk, but there was no way that we would get a stretcher out for a lower extremity injury unless they were unable to stand...they have too much pride.

On the ambulance if I splint someone's lower extremity they are getting carried from wherever they are to the stretcher. Wouldn't want to put the patient in more pain/make the injury worse/get accused of making the injury worse. I'd seat carry them with two people if it came to them, or possible even resort to a backboard (no c-spine obviously) if no other options were available.
 
Distance matters. And we're talking tib/fib here, right, not a femur?

If you were 400 yards from the ambulance, you should have put him on a Reeves or something like that and carried him out.

If they're 4 feet from the gurney, I will expect the assisted spin-and-sit. Just hop on the unbroken leg while my partner and I hold you up. :P
 
The standard of care for a fracture is to stabilize it in the position found unless there is a need to augment it in case of angulation and impaired circulation.

How does having a patient with a suspected or obvious fracture hop around, parallel the standard of care? Is it not possible for further damage to be done by permitting this?

Why not immobilize like your supposed to, apply some ice, treat pain and nausea as indicated, and carry your patient to the ambulance? This seem's like the better treatment plan.

It's kinda like some providers who have patient's involved in an MVC lay down on the backboard which was placed on the stretcher. What's really the point of immobilizing?
 
Shouldnt you have 2 fire trucks and 8 firefighters with you at every call lulz? get them to help carry him out on a scoop stretcher or the likes :rofl:
 
Once again, depends on situation. If at all possible, carry out. If that's not workable, reckon something up. For example, wilderness rescue.
 
the_negro_puppy said:
Shouldnt you have 2 fire trucks and 8 firefighters with you at every call lulz? get them to help carry him out on a scoop stretcher or the likes :rofl:
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:rofl:

Umm no, we only get one engine thank you very much! and depending on which of the two cities we are in it's either 3 or 4 firefighters. :P

You still should be able to carry this guy out with the help of his teammates. Honestly I'd be willing to bet his teammates or training staff would end up carrying him and I wouldn't have to do much of anything :cool:

With that said, most if not all of the fields here have access points for emergency vehicles to drive right onto the playing field.
 
Improvisation!

This is my new mantra besides "5=4" and "Parse!":
"Can you improvise some sort of primitive lathe?". (Sam Rockwell, "Galaxy Quest")

rifling-guide-h.jpg
 
Desette said:
Sorry I'm new did I do something wrong?
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Des, we like to say "There's no such thing as a stupid question." As such, we need to respect the fact that you asked and hope that we can provide a teaching/learning moment.
If you have splinted a patient, you have already declared a high suspicion of injury. So, no, you do not walk the patient out. Additionally, attempting to 'walk' with a splint properly placed is a hazard in itself. Either way, at the very least, it would be considered neglegent.
 
mycrofft said:

"Can you improvise some sort of primitive lathe?". (Sam Rockwell, "Galaxy Quest")
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Is it sad I recognized that quote before I read where it was from? :wacko:
 
Question: where does necessity require something like walking on a broken limb?

"Karolyi replied, "Kerri, we need you to go one more time. We need you one more time for the gold. You can do it, you better do it."

(Olympic coach Bela Karolyl coaching gymnast Keri Strug in Barcelona after she had injured her ankle; the result was she experienced a third degree lateral ankle sprain and tendon damage).

Imminent danger, unavailability of transport or assistance from site, or helping your team make the gold medal.

PS part of her subsequent career was with the Ice Capades, so she recovered to some greater degree. She was lauded as a hero, Karolyl subsequently went through a period of not being welcome, but has since resumed a leading role in gymnastics and has gyms for young aspirants.
 
I managed to complete A marathon with a broken ankle.

I was 3 miles from the end and had raised £6500 for charity
 
A broken arm? Sure. But, a leg? What are you thinking...

My first thought that comes to mind is YOU CAN BE SUED.

Unless the patient signs that they WANTED to walk and that you adamently offered to wait for a rescue vehicle due to their stable condition, you are totally liable.

Our major concerns with fractures are ensuring the patency of distal perfusion, and stopping a simple fracture from becoming a compound fracture. Both of which are achieved via splinting, and limiting mobility. Walking, completely defies the entire purpose of our care.

What I WOULD have done, is called for a stokes or the quad you spoke of with the rescue sled as well as an ALS unit capable of pain management. The pain management because quads aren't exactly built for comfort, and due to the extended removal time.

NEVER would i walk a lower extremity fracture. NEVER EVER.

If he started to walk on his own, I would sooner let him go and document it as him fleeing the scene on his own merit than me allowing him to do so.
 
I want to see a thread for "Walking Out On A Broken Arm".
This little guy did. Or was it a leg?
m.jpg
 
NYMedic828 said:
A broken arm? Sure. But, a leg? What are you thinking...

My first thought that comes to mind is YOU CAN BE SUED.

Unless the patient signs that they WANTED to walk and that you adamently offered to wait for a rescue vehicle due to their stable condition, you are totally liable.

Our major concerns with fractures are ensuring the patency of distal perfusion, and stopping a simple fracture from becoming a compound fracture. Both of which are achieved via splinting, and limiting mobility. Walking, completely defies the entire purpose of our care.

What I WOULD have done, is called for a stokes or the quad you spoke of with the rescue sled as well as an ALS unit capable of pain management. The pain management because quads aren't exactly built for comfort, and due to the extended removal time.

NEVER would i walk a lower extremity fracture. NEVER EVER.

If he started to walk on his own, I would sooner let him go and document it as him fleeing the scene on his own merit than me allowing him to do so.
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Well yea, of course. You can be sued for anything provided an injury (of any sort) occurred, that a causal connection exists between the injury and the defendant, and that the the possibility for redress exists. Don't think of specific examples in which you can be sued, you can be sued for anything you do on the job with your patient.
(http://www.justice.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title4/civ00035.htm)

The reasons why you shouldn't walk a lower extremity fx out of the woods are in the second part of your post.
 
Hahah I tried to get a photo of someone hand walking with a cast, but didn't happen.
 
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