Fracture Management with Dr. Rob Clark

Whether it's a hit-by-car with an open fracture, a toy breed that jumped off the couch, or a cat with a mysterious hindlimb lameness, orthopedic emergencies can feel intimidating. In this episode of 2 A.M. Consult, Dr. Deer sits down with Dr. Rob Clark to break down the practical side of fracture management and referral.

Together they discuss how to approach orthopedic trauma without missing life-threatening injuries, grading and managing open fractures, splinting techniques that actually help (and common mistakes that don't), when fractures require urgent surgical referral, and how to recognize injuries that are easy to overlook—including Salter-Harris fractures, capital physeal fractures in cats, and pelvic injuries. Dr. Clark also shares tips for taking radiographs that are more useful for surgeons, interpreting soft tissue swelling, and why sometimes no splint is better than a bad one.

Whether you work in emergency medicine or general practice, this episode is packed with practical orthopedic pearls that will help you stabilize patients, improve referrals, and feel more confident the next time a fracture walks—or gets carried—through your doors.