Musculoskeletal Injuries & Splinting Flashcards

A patroller finds a skier with point tenderness over the mid-clavicle and the arm held adducted against the body. What is the most likely injury?

Answer: Clavicle fracture

Mid-clavicle point tenderness combined with the classic protective adducted arm posture strongly indicates a clavicle fracture, the most common mechanism after a fall on an outstretched hand.

Which of the following is considered a LATE sign of compartment syndrome?

Answer: Paralysis of the affected muscle group

Paralysis is a late, ominous sign of compartment syndrome indicating severe ischemic muscle damage; earlier signs include pain with passive stretch, paresthesia, and tenseness.

When splinting an ankle injury, the foot should ideally be immobilized in what position?

Answer: Neutral position (90 degrees to the leg)

The ankle should be splinted in the neutral (90-degree) position to maintain normal anatomic alignment and reduce tension on injured ligaments and tendons.

How should an impaled object in an extremity be managed in the OEC field setting?

Answer: Leave it in place and stabilize it with bulky dressings to prevent movement

Impaled objects should never be removed in the field; they should be stabilized in place with bulky dressings to prevent movement and additional tissue damage.

After applying a traction splint for a suspected femur fracture, when must CSM be rechecked?

Answer: Before application, immediately after application, and then every 15 minutes during transport

CSM should be checked before splint application to establish baseline, immediately after to confirm no compromise was introduced, and every 15 minutes during transport to detect changes.

A patient has a suspected fracture of the radius and ulna (forearm). Which type of splint is most appropriate?

Answer: Rigid splint extending from the hand to above the elbow

A rigid splint extending from the hand to above the elbow immobilizes both the wrist and elbow joints, which is required to properly stabilize a forearm fracture.

Which mechanism of injury is most commonly associated with a posterior hip dislocation in ski patrol scenarios?

Answer: Axial load through the femur with the hip and knee flexed (dashboard-type mechanism)

Posterior hip dislocation classically results from an axial force transmitted through a flexed knee and hip, forcing the femoral head posteriorly out of the acetabulum.