Wilderness Medicine Updates Ep. 29 - Wilderness Orthopedics with Dr. Chris Healy
Jan 18, 2026
Dr. Chris Healy, an orthopedic surgeon and ski patroller, shares practical wilderness orthopedics wisdom. Topics include field fracture alignment and traction for femur injuries. They cover pelvic binder use and placement, shoulder and patellar reductions, splinting options, compartment syndrome recognition, and evacuation priorities for high-risk knee and pelvic injuries.
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Ski Patrol Roots Shape Practical Orthopedic View
- Chris Healy trained as a ski patroller and grew up around patrol culture through his father at Winter Park.
- That hands-on patrol experience shapes his view on field pragmatism and what's realistic in pre-hospital care.
Reduce And Cover Open Fractures Then Splint
- Reduce exposed bone from open fractures by gentle axial traction and lever skin back over bone, then cover with saline-soaked gauze and splint.
- Keep boots on (e.g., ski boots) unless prolonged extrication or you can give good analgesia.
Compartment Syndrome Is Time Dependent And Injury Driven
- Compartment syndrome usually evolves over hours and is driven by injury pattern more than immediate field care.
- High-risk injuries include proximal tibia/tibial plateau fractures and require rapid hospital transfer; fasciotomy is definitive.
