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Forum Presentation: DCMT (Directorate of Combat Medic Training) U.S. Army
Whiskey, 2007 Instructor Training Breakout Sessions, Ft. Sam Houston, TX
RR and D, Inc., © May 2007 WWW.SPLINTS.COM
References:
Heightman, MPA, EMT-P JEMS “Articulated Injuries”,
Auerbach, MD Annals of Emergency Medicine, “Experience…”
MonchikMonchik, , MD, NREMT-P MD, NREMT-P Compression SyndromeCompression Syndrome
Warwick and Williams, Gray’s Anatomy,
Lopez and Antunez, “Atlas of Human Anatomy”,
SBC Yellow Pages Phone Book, “Survival Guide”,
Marvel Circa’ 1968 product page.
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TOPIC:TOPIC:EMERGING ISSUES IN THE EMERGING ISSUES IN THE
FIELD TREATMENT OF LOWER FIELD TREATMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY FRACTURES AND EXTREMITY FRACTURES AND
DISLOCATIONS…DISLOCATIONS…
TOPIC:TOPIC:EMERGING ISSUES IN THE EMERGING ISSUES IN THE
FIELD TREATMENT OF LOWER FIELD TREATMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY FRACTURES AND EXTREMITY FRACTURES AND
DISLOCATIONS…DISLOCATIONS…
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““SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIFE AND LIMB”LIMB”
““SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIFE AND LIMB”LIMB”
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SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIMB’S, SAVING LIMB’S, TOOTOO””
SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIFE AND SAVING LIMB’S, SAVING LIMB’S, TOOTOO””
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““Discussion of: Types, Basic Discussion of: Types, Basic Anatomy, Causes…”Anatomy, Causes…”
““Discussion of: Types, Basic Discussion of: Types, Basic Anatomy, Causes…”Anatomy, Causes…”
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Orthopedic EmergenciesOrthopedic EmergenciesOrthopedic EmergenciesOrthopedic Emergencies
Open fracturesOpen fractures Long Bone Fractures Long Bone Fractures DislocationsDislocations Extremities with Extremities with
neurological or vascular neurological or vascular compromise (GSW)compromise (GSW)
Compartment Compartment syndromessyndromes
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Open FracturesOpen Fractures
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Long Bone FractureLong Bone FractureLong Bone FractureLong Bone Fracture
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DislocationsDislocationsDislocationsDislocations
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Gun Shot WoundsGun Shot WoundsGun Shot WoundsGun Shot Wounds
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““Immobilizing injuries in Immobilizing injuries in the position found.”the position found.”
““Immobilizing injuries in Immobilizing injuries in the position found.”the position found.”
““Immobilizing the joints Immobilizing the joints above and below the above and below the
injury site”injury site”
““Immobilizing the joints Immobilizing the joints above and below the above and below the
injury site”injury site”
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Help to prevent further injury…Help to prevent further injury…
Help to Relieve pain…Help to Relieve pain…
Help to Determine Mechanism of Help to Determine Mechanism of injury…injury…
Help to prevent further injury…Help to prevent further injury…
Help to Relieve pain…Help to Relieve pain…
Help to Determine Mechanism of Help to Determine Mechanism of injury…injury…
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The The KneeKnee and and AnkleAnkle are are always in play and must be always in play and must be
frozen in placefrozen in place
The The KneeKnee and and AnkleAnkle are are always in play and must be always in play and must be
frozen in placefrozen in place
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LACK of LACK of UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDINGLACK of LACK of APPRECIATIONAPPRECIATIONLACK of LACK of EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT
LACK of LACK of UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDINGLACK of LACK of APPRECIATIONAPPRECIATIONLACK of LACK of EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT
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““Knee Anatomy”Knee Anatomy” ““Knee Anatomy”Knee Anatomy”
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The “The “TWO P’sTWO P’s” in the knee. ” in the knee. Peroneal Nerve, Popliteal Peroneal Nerve, Popliteal
ArteryArtery
The “The “TWO P’sTWO P’s” in the knee. ” in the knee. Peroneal Nerve, Popliteal Peroneal Nerve, Popliteal
ArteryArtery
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Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal ArteryArtery
Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal ArteryArtery
Common Common Peroneal Peroneal
NerveNerve
Common Common Peroneal Peroneal
NerveNerve
Popliteal Popliteal ArteryArtery
Popliteal Popliteal ArteryArtery
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Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal ArteryArteryPeroneal Nerve & Popliteal Peroneal Nerve & Popliteal ArteryArtery
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Entrapment…Compression Entrapment…Compression Tractioned or StretchedTractioned or Stretched
Entrapment…Compression Entrapment…Compression Tractioned or StretchedTractioned or Stretched
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Compartment Compartment SyndromesSyndromes
Compartment Compartment SyndromesSyndromes
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Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeDefinitionDefinition
Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeDefinitionDefinition
Elevated tissue Elevated tissue pressure within a pressure within a closed fascial spaceclosed fascial space
Reduces tissue Reduces tissue perfusionperfusion
Results in cell deathResults in cell death PathogenesisPathogenesis
Too much inflow Too much inflow (edema, hemorrhage)(edema, hemorrhage)
Decreased outflow Decreased outflow (venous obstruction, (venous obstruction, tight dressing/cast)tight dressing/cast)
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Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeEtiologyEtiology
Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeEtiologyEtiology
Fractures-closed Fractures-closed and openand open
Blunt traumaBlunt trauma Temp vascular Temp vascular
occlusionocclusion Cast/dressingCast/dressing Closure of fascial Closure of fascial
defectsdefects Burns/electricalBurns/electrical
GSWGSW IV/A-linesIV/A-lines Snake biteSnake bite Arterial injuryArterial injury
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Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeTissue SurvivalTissue Survival
Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeTissue SurvivalTissue Survival
MuscleMuscle 3-4 hours - reversible 3-4 hours - reversible
changeschanges 6 hours - variable 6 hours - variable
damagedamage 8 hours - irreversible 8 hours - irreversible
changeschanges Nerve Nerve
2 hours - looses nerve 2 hours - looses nerve conductionconduction
4 hours - neuropraxia4 hours - neuropraxia 8 hours - irreversible 8 hours - irreversible
changeschanges
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Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeDiagnosisDiagnosis
Compartment SyndromeCompartment SyndromeDiagnosisDiagnosis
Pain out of Pain out of proportionproportion
Palpably tense Palpably tense compartmentcompartment
Pain with passive Pain with passive stretchstretch
ParalysisParalysis Pulselessness/Pulselessness/
pallorpallor
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““MORBIDITY ISSUES”MORBIDITY ISSUES”““MORBIDITY ISSUES”MORBIDITY ISSUES”
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1. Foot drop 1. Foot drop 2. Ankle and Foot Palsy 2. Ankle and Foot Palsy 3. Gaiting difficulties 3. Gaiting difficulties 4. Loss of sensation 4. Loss of sensation 5. Toe Dragging 5. Toe Dragging 6. Loss of muscle tone 6. Loss of muscle tone 7. Long term health 7. Long term health effects effects
8. Psychological8. Psychological
1. Foot drop 1. Foot drop 2. Ankle and Foot Palsy 2. Ankle and Foot Palsy 3. Gaiting difficulties 3. Gaiting difficulties 4. Loss of sensation 4. Loss of sensation 5. Toe Dragging 5. Toe Dragging 6. Loss of muscle tone 6. Loss of muscle tone 7. Long term health 7. Long term health effects effects
8. Psychological8. Psychological
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The “Perfect Splint” for the job
The “Perfect Splint” for the job
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Extrication Extrication ManagementManagementStrap Architecture Strap Architecture Repositioning Repositioning Traction CapabilityTraction Capability
Extrication Extrication ManagementManagementStrap Architecture Strap Architecture Repositioning Repositioning Traction CapabilityTraction Capability
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““Tactical System… Perfect Tactical System… Perfect traction too”traction too”
““Tactical System… Perfect Tactical System… Perfect traction too”traction too”
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The changes can be expressed in a The changes can be expressed in a matter of degreesmatter of degrees
The changes can be expressed in a The changes can be expressed in a matter of degreesmatter of degrees
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The changes can be expressed in a The changes can be expressed in a matter of degreesmatter of degrees
The changes can be expressed in a The changes can be expressed in a matter of degreesmatter of degrees