Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2015
ReviewThe Emergent Evaluation and Treatment of Hand Injuries.
The hand is especially prone to traumatic injury. Some sources indicate that injuries to the hand account for somewhere between 10% and 30% of patients treated in emergency care settings. ⋯ Because the mechanism of injury often results in damage to multiple tissue structures, a detailed history and evaluation are vital to properly identifying and managing these injuries. This article provides the emergency physician with tools to identify and manage orthopedic injuries to the hand.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2015
ReviewEmergency Department Evaluation and Treatment of the Shoulder and Humerus.
Shoulder injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal complaints seen in US emergency departments (EDs). ED evaluation of the shoulder must account for the broad range of potential fracture patterns seen in the clavicle, scapula, and humerus. ⋯ Dislocation of the shoulder is frequently seen, and the ED physician must be skilled in several reduction techniques to optimize a successful reduction. An understanding of when orthopedic consultation is appropriate and when patients can be dispositioned with timely follow-up are integral to complete patient recovery.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2015
ReviewEvaluation and Management of Traumatic Knee Injuries in the Emergency Department.
Posttraumatic knee pain is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). The use of clinical decision rules can rule out reliably fractures of the knee and reduce the unnecessary cost and radiation exposure associated with plain radiographs. ⋯ Patients presenting after high-energy mechanisms are at risk for occult fracture and vascular injuries. ED providers must consider these injuries in the proper clinical setting.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2015
ReviewEmergency Department Evaluation and Treatment of Wrist Injuries.
Correct diagnosis of wrist injuries is critical in preventing prolonged pain and dysfunction. Radiographs cannot diagnose a large percentage of injuries. ⋯ Knowledge of the anatomy, normal physical examination findings, and physical examination abnormalities associated with different pathological conditions, is paramount in making the correct diagnosis. This article focuses on the anatomy, diagnosis, and ED management of acute wrist injuries, including fractures and dislocations.