Dr. Simes demonstrating the proper technique of leaving the elbow free of webril during prophylactic splinting.

Junior orthopedic resident covers mistake by coining the phrase "prophylactic splinting"

RIVERSIDE, CA - Quick thinking second year junior orthopedic resident Mark Simes attempted to cover a mistake by convincing an attending of the utility of prophylactic splinting. At sign out, Dr. Simes presented the case of 38 year old Blake Sampson who presented acutely intoxicated to the ED with a left both bone forearm fracture. Dr. Simes then presented post reduction films of a splinted and seemingly uninjured right forearm.

When questioned about the apparent mistake, the rapidly adapting Dr. Simes stated: "We knew the left forearm was fractured, that much was clear. Would it displace?  Was it stable? I wanted to evaluate the full nature of injury, which I felt needed to be stressed under physiologic conditions to do so." When questioned about why a splint was placed on the uninjured arm, Simes stated: "In his state of intoxication, who knew what was going to happen to the right arm. I wasn't so much concerned with the fracture that was, I was concerned about the fracture that might be." The attending gave a long sigh and was heard mumbling something about "needing to get to private practice" while the OR control desk called for the patient for his prophylactic forearm ORIF.