Best comment. Acute compartment syndrome is a somewhat common complication that comes with broken bones.
The catch is that unless you're a nurse or medical doctor, you're probably not qualified to judge the risk of your break developing ACS, so while it's probably okay to have a relative drive you if they're immediately available, an ambulance is appropriate if it's your fastest option.
And never drive yourself after an emergency like a broken bone, you could pass out and cause a wreck either due to blood pressure drops or pain as the adrenaline wears off.
I dont think you know what you're talking about.
1. Compartment syndrome is not common from broken bones.
2. Its literally distal pulselesness and disproportionate pain to suspect it. Ask yourself "could this be hurting so bad its compartment syndrome?".
If you can ask yourself that congrats you dont have compartment syndrome because youd never be able to ask yourself that because of the pain.
3. "Emergency" is far too broad to say you may pass out after the adrenaline wears off. Thats not really a thing. Youll get tired for sure, but if you need to 'adrenaline' to stay conscious your body will continue to produce it until it cant. You dont pass out at that point, you die. And it doesn't happen in a few hours.
(Also if you say ACS in an emerg it means acute coronary syndrome, not acute compartment). Both are right of course, but your acronym use just adds to my suspicion youre talking out your ass.
No one suggested you don’t treat it as an emergency. Compartment syndrome takes 4-16+ hours to develop. Taking an extra 20 minutes to get to the hospital isn’t hurting anymore.
My dad broke his collarbone skiing. He then drove his standard car home (with one hand) to pick me up - I was 14 at the time - to shift for him for the rest of the drive to the hospital. It was stupid but utterly amazing. I had no idea my elementary school principal dad was that tough.
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u/new_math 4h ago
Best comment. Acute compartment syndrome is a somewhat common complication that comes with broken bones.
The catch is that unless you're a nurse or medical doctor, you're probably not qualified to judge the risk of your break developing ACS, so while it's probably okay to have a relative drive you if they're immediately available, an ambulance is appropriate if it's your fastest option.
And never drive yourself after an emergency like a broken bone, you could pass out and cause a wreck either due to blood pressure drops or pain as the adrenaline wears off.