Extremity Trauma

The approach to the patient with extremity trauma is the same as any other trauma presentation with attention to life threatening external hemorrhage before completing a structured ABCD assessment. In the patient with significant limb injury further attention to specific features to suggest compartment syndrome, presence of wounds that require antibiotic coverage and tetanus prophylaxis or metabolic management in crush injury should be considered in the initial assessment.

Major limb trauma may also require the use of tourniquets, splints and direct pressure for hemorrhage control and familiarity of available equipment and local processes for application and removal of these should be available for clinician use.

Training resource kits

Each kit is a collection of tools and resources to guide the effective delivery of a trauma education event. The kits are designed for use in any Queensland Health facility and can be modified by the facilitator to the needs of the learner, as well as the environment in which the education is being delivered.

Immersive scenario

Fat emboli syndrome

This resource kit provides healthcare clinicians with the skills to assess and manage a patient with fat emboli following orthopaedic limb trauma.

Duration: 45-60 minutes

Target Audience: Emergency department medical and nursing clinicians

Case discussion

Ankle fracture

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to effectively interpret ankle x-rays for correct alignment following injury.

Duration: 30 minutes

Target Audience: Emergency department medical and nursing clinicians, physiotherapists

Femoral traction splint

This resource kit provides clinicians with the knowledge for use including indications and contraindications for traction splint application in femoral fractures following injury.

Duration: 30 minutes

Target Audience: Emergency department medical and nursing clinicians

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Other resources

Other resources and tools on the topic of extremity trauma.

Courses

• Trauma – Acute Compartment Syndrome online module. CSDS, Queensland Health.

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