Wilderness Orthopedics: Managing Trauma in Remote Environments with Dr. Chris Healy

In this episode of Wilderness Medicine Updates, host Dr. Patrick Fink tackles orthopedic injuries in the wilderness with Dr. Chris Healy, an orthopedic surgeon and outdoor enthusiast. They explore the management of long bone fractures, traction for femur, pelvic binders, and the nuances of treating injuries in limited-resource environments. The episode covers strategies for handling common injuries like shoulder dislocations, tibia fractures, knee injuries, and how to prioritize care. They also emphasize the importance of timely evacuation and when and how to safely attempt reductions in the field.

Links:

Donate to the Tina Biddle Memorial Scholarship

Sulcus sign / Squaring of the shoulder

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:36 Tribute to Tina Biddle
04:09 Meet Dr. Chris Healy
05:11 Ski Patrol Background and Pre-Hospital Care
08:12 Approaching Orthopedic Injuries in the Field
17:50 Managing Tibia and Fibula Fractures
21:40 Understanding Compartment Syndrome
27:50 Femur Fractures and Traction Splinting
36:57 Pelvic Fractures: Identification and Management
38:41 Understanding Pelvic Fractures and Binders
39:53 The Role of Pelvic Binders in Pre-Hospital Care
41:11 Challenges with Pelvic Binders in the Field
43:15 Proper Placement of Pelvic Binders
46:36 Field Management of Shoulder Dislocations
50:43 Techniques for Reducing Shoulder Dislocations
54:17 Managing Upper Extremity Injuries
57:51 Handling Knee Injuries in the Field
01:00:37 Patella vs. Knee Dislocations
01:08:06 Evacuation Priorities for Knee Dislocations
01:10:53 Common Issues in Pre-Hospital Orthopedic Care
01:15:36 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

As always, thanks for listening to Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink MD FAWM.

Connect with us by email at wildernessmedicineupdates@gmail.com.

You can pay us a compliment and share the show with a new listener on any popular platform here.

Connect with us on social!

Instagram
Blue Sky
X

Understanding Stress Injuries in First Line Responders with Laura McGladrey

This episode of Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink, features a conversation with Laura McGladrey, founder of the Responder Alliance. They discuss the critical issue of stress injuries among first line responders, including professional ski patrollers, healthcare workers, and rescue team members. Through personal stories and expert insights, Laura explains the concept of stress injuries, how they develop, and the importance of early detection and mitigation. The episode highlights the need for both individual and organizational strategies to support resilience and manage stress. Listeners are introduced to practical tools, cultural shifts, and personal anecdotes to help maintain a long, healthy, and fulfilling career in high-stress environments.

Links

Responder Alliance Home Page
Access all that the organization has to offer.

Responder Alliance: Resource Hub
Easy access to critical tools and offerings.

The Stress Continuum
See the visual continuum that we discuss on the show.

Scholarships: Responder Alliance Foundation
Apply for aid for an individual or team training.

Make a Donation to Responder Alliance Foundation!
Join me in making a tax-deductible donation to support the valuable work of the Responder Alliance and bring this work to those who need it, regardless of cost.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:11 Laura's Background and Work
06:00 Understanding Stress Injuries
10:02 Responder Alliance Mission and Challenges
20:55 Critical Incident Stress Management
30:49 Empowering First Responders
32:13 Daily Investments in Resilience
37:26 Recognizing and Managing Stress
38:14 Organizational Support for Stress Management
39:45 Building Resilient Teams
46:12 Learning from Resilient Leaders
52:42 Resources for Stress Mitigation
57:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As always, thanks for listening to Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink MD FAWM.

Connect with us by email at wildernessmedicineupdates@gmail.com.

You can pay us a compliment and share the show with a new listener on any popular platform here.

Connect with us on social!

Instagram
Blue Sky
X

In this episode of Wilderness Medicine Updates, host Patrick Fink delves into the topic of thermoregulation, explaining how our bodies regulate temperature in response to environmental changes. Listeners will learn about methods of heat exchange (conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation), how to measure core temperature, and the body's physiological responses—such as shivering, sweating, and blood flow control.

The episode also touches on the effects of age, metabolic stressors, and pregnancy on thermoregulation, as well as the importance of understanding these principles in the context of treating conditions like hypothermia and heat-related illnesses.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:29 Importance of Thermoregulation
03:12 Human Thermoregulation Mechanisms
04:20 Measuring Core Temperature
07:55 Heat Exchange Methods
14:52 Behavioral and Physiological Responses
24:48 Sex and Age Differences in Thermoregulation
27:14 Conclusion and Next Steps

As always, thanks for listening to Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink MD FAWM.

Connect with us by email at wildernessmedicineupdates@gmail.com.

You can pay us a compliment and share the show with a new listener on any popular platform here.

Connect with us on social!

Instagram
Blue Sky
X