Wilderness Medicine Tip of the Week

This is a New Feature of the Mountain & Marine Medicine Blog:
Each week we will publish a wilderness medicine "pearl", explaining priorities of caring for patients in the out of doors.

Wilderness Medicine Tip of the Week!

Foot fractures are common injuries among climbers, as in this example of a 29 year old male who fell while bouldering.

Calcaneus fractures can be obvious as in the radiograph above, or they can be subtle. The inability to bear weight is an important clue. However, don't forget to finish your exam. Rapid deceleration from a fall from height delivers energy sufficient to break bones elsewhere in the body. This week's tip: 10% of patients with a calcaneus fracture will have a lumbar spine compression fracture. Always protect the victim's neck and back & examine the spine for tenderness!

Check back next week for more! And don't forget to visit
www.MMMedicine.com for great wilderness medicine adventures!

Joe Alcock MD