Wilderness Medicine Case Study 65

While skiing back to your vehicle after a day of touring in the backcountry, your friend skis directly into a 10-inch lodgepole pine at a moderate rate of speed. When you reach her, she is out of breath and struggling to sit up. You carefully assist her to a sitting position and begin your assessment. Jenny's breathing quickly returns to normal. She tells you she got the wind knocked out of her and the right side of her chest is sore (2); on exam, her chest is slightly tender. She did not hit her head. Her pulse and respiratory rates are normal. A focused spine assessment reveals no spine pain, tenderness, or shooting pain and normal motor and sensory exams. Jenny doesn't think she is badly injured and is ready to continue skiing, albeit slightly slower and under better control.​

What is wrong with Jenny and what should you do? Click here to find out.

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