If the character in '127 Hrs' had dislodged his arm would he have survived 'Crush syndrome' in time to make it to medical attention?
I'm watching the movie, and can't help but think that if he had been able to pry his arm loose at ~48 hours, at his fluid level, he would have been in bad shape. But then again, the relative amount of tissue loss (mid-forearm down?) might not have been sufficient to do him in. What do you guys think?
Posted Mar 7, 2011, 9:47 PM UTC
210
Crush syndrome, or traumatic rhabdomyolysis, occurs when damaged skeletal muscle releases free myoglobin into the bloodstream.
The main concern when this happens is that the myoglobin damages the kidneys, leading to renal failure.
The crush injury of half a forearm is, in my opinion, unlikely to cause renal failure. This type of damage usually occurs after someone has half their body crushed under rubble, for example.
Thanks for replying! I was wondering if you had any reason for your opinion, or is it just a gut thing?
There's not that much muscle in a forearm. Crush syndrome usually occurs after a much more severe (meaning more of the body) trauma.
So gut feeling then?
Gut feeling and medical training, yes.
There will still be hyperkalemia from such a massive traumatic injury and that becomes more difficult to gauge depending on how high the potassium would go. The spectrum ranges from just feeling a little funny to EKG changes and arrhythmias.