- Identify all anatomical structures related to and/or that are being affected based on the patient case information. (i.e. tissues, organs, vessels, brain components, membranes)
- Explain how the anatomical structures and their physiological function/dysfunction are interrelated normally and what is going wrong with the structures in this current patient case information.
- Identify and explain possible a diagnosis and what can be done to fix or reverse the current situation described in the patient case information. Please be specific and detailed.
Patient: Elaine
Elaine was enjoying a pleasant day on the ski slopes at Winter Park. When she got on the lift to the top of Parsenn Bowl, the weather was fine—windy, but sunny. During the ride, the weather changed suddenly; it became a white-out, with icy surface snow, blowing snow, a very strong wind, and extremely low visibility. Many people fell as they got off the lift, including Elaine. However, she got up and joined her family members as they stood, wondering just how they were going to get down the mountain. Meanwhile, the lift closed due to the terrible conditions. As she adjusted her stance, Elaine somehow twisted and fell again, which resulted in external rotation of her right knee. There was no pain at the time and she thought she could get up and prepare to get down the mountain, but her knee was too unstable. While she sat on the icy surface, her husband notified the lift operator to call the Ski Patrol. In about minutes they arrived and put her on a sled, which they skied down the slope; when they reached the Ski Patrol headquarters, they transferred the sled to a snowmobile and promptly got her down the mountain and into the emergency room. Paramedic and Ski Patrol member Mondo brought Elaine into the emergency room and began to examine her. He quickly removed her ski boots, checked the dorsalis pedis pulse, and told her to take off her parka; an assistant brought blankets and hot chocolate. At that time Elaine was not experiencing intense pain, but she was shivering uncontrollably. The pain was relatively localized to the medial surface of her right knee, and the knee was already considerably swollen. He indicated that there was probably damage to a ligament or two. Elaine was then moved to the Mile-High Clinic for further evaluation.
