Fractures

[ERDoc]

I had a case last tonight that made me think of you guys (man, I have no life ). If you have a pt in the field with say an ankle fracture with vascular compromise, are you allowed to reduce it?

[Yummymedic05]

We are allowed one attempt.

[ERDoc]

We are allowed one attempt.

What kind of education were you given? Is it just the medics or also the EMTs?

[Timmy]

They do teach it here on wilderness and remote first aid courses.

[PRPGfirerescuetech]

One attempt.

Minimal education with overall theory being straighten the leg until periphery gets veinous blood return, then strop and splint in place.

The is a EMT and/or medic "skill".

Im not saying its right, but we can do it.

[ERDoc]

One attempt.

Minimal education with overall theory being straighten the leg until periphery gets veinous blood return, then strop and splint in place.

The is a EMT and/or medic "skill".

Im not saying its right, but we can do it.

How about with an obviously fractured ankle without distal pulses? There is really nothing to straighten, but the pt needs a reduction.

[tskstorm]

here in ny we are allowed one attempt only if there is lack of distal perfusion, motor, and/or sensory. otherwise just splint and go.

[dahlio]

here in ny we are allowed one attempt only if there is lack of distal perfusion, motor, and/or sensory. otherwise just splint and go.

Same goes for what I learned in Nj, one attempt.

[AZCEP]

That is all the education on reduction that most prehospital providers receive.

"One attempt to reduce, then splint in place." Nowhere in the curriculum is it mentioned to properly align the bone ends, techniques for application, or how to best splint the injury site. "One attempt..." and move on.

As I best understand it, the attempt is designed to get the bone ends back into their neutral position without damaging the vasculature. Unfortunately, the right way to perform this isn't taught very often. :roll:

[jon_ems_boi]

Or way .. is to splint in position you found injury.. the drive like hell to the hsplt so there will be no further damage...