A patient comes to the emergency room with foot pain after jumping down from about 3 meters. You determine that he has a calcaneus fracture. What should you first examine to ensure you do not miss any dangerous additional injury?

A patient comes to the emergency room with foot pain after jumping down from about 3 meters. You determine that he has a calcaneus fracture. What should you first examine to ensure you do not miss any dangerous additional injury?

The correct answer is B. With a trauma that is sufficient to cause a calcaneus fracture, such as a jump from a 3 meter height, there is a significant risk of associated injuries, especially to the spine. This is because the kinetic energy generated on impact with the ground travels up the body, potentially damaging the spine.

Verified by Dimitar Popov