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Emerg Med J 2005;22:660-663 doi:10.1136/emj.2005.024489
  • Prehospital care

Prehospital management of lower limb fractures

  1. C Lee1,
  2. K M Porter2
  1. 1Accident & Emergency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
  2. 2Trauma & Orthopaedics, Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 MrK M Porter
 Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon, Selly Oak Hospital,Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6JD, UK; keith.porteruhb.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 11 April 2005

Abstract

Lower limb fractures are common injuries in prehospital care. Untreated fractures can lead to hypovolaemic shock especially if open, and should be treated with effective haemorrhage control and splintage. A brief assessment for open fractures, deformity, and neurovascular compromise should be followed by effective analgesia, wound management, reduction (if needed), splintage, and packaging of the patient. Early appropriate management reduces the morbidity and mortality of lower limb fractures.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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