⚠️Femur fracture⚠️
This case involved a femur fracture and ankle fracture! (both fractures on the same leg). Femoral shaft fractures can result from high or low energy mechanisms and are often associated with other serious injuries. The most common causes include automobile accidents, falls from heights, ground-level falls in individuals with osteoporosis, and gunshots. A trauma is typically involving a direct hit to the thigh or an indirect force transmitted through the knee. Operative fixation with intramedullary nailing is the best option to ensure union of the less severe fracture. External fixation is used in more extensive cases. In severe open femur fracture cases patients might need a surgery called open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in order to bring the bones back into place and help them heal. Screws, plates, sutures, or rods are used to hold the broken bone together to ensure the bone stays aligned while healing. “Open reduction” means surgery is needed to realign the bone fracture into the normal position. “Internal fixation” refers to the steel rods, screws, or plates used to keep the bone fracture stable in order to heal the right way and to help prevent infection. Under general anesthesia, an incision is made at the site of the break or injury, and the fracture is carefully re-aligned or the joint replaced. The hardware is installed, and the incision is closed with staples or stitches. The steel rods, screws, or plates can be permanent, or temporary and removed when healing takes place. Once the open reduction internal fixation is performed, a cast is usually applied. In the prehospital setting, what do you think would work best to stabilize the position of the injured leg? Photo by @savageparamedics
In recent days, my grandmother had a femur fracture. She is 76 and She has gone through surgery
Prehospitally, all we have is traction splints, which I believe are contraindicated when there are also lower limb fractures on same leg. I think hems carry something similar to back slab cast, whatever it is is soaked in fluid then moulded to splint limb then strapped so possibly that could be an option. Assside from that most likely a bodge job with blankets