SplintER Series: Two cases of shoulder pain

Two patients present to your emergency department: Patient 1 is a 17 year-old soccer player who fell during a game onto their right side and is now complaining of mild right shoulder pain. You obtain x-rays (Figure 1). Patient 2 is a 21 year-old motorist who lost control and went over the handlebars. They heard a pop and are complaining of left shoulder pain. You obtain shoulder x-rays (Figure 2). For these cases, what are your diagnoses, expected physical examination findings, and emergency department management?

(more…)

By Megan French, MD, FACEP|2020-02-04T19:13:23-08:00Feb 5, 2020|Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic, SplintER|

SplintER Series: The Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

A 17 year-old football player with prior shoulder dislocation presents to the emergency department reporting shoulder pain after fall. You obtain shoulder x-rays and see the following injury (Image courtesy of Richard Hopkins, MD).

What is your diagnosis? Are there any associated lesions you could expect to find? What is your emergency department management?

(more…)

By Megan French, MD, FACEP|2020-01-24T21:21:28-08:00Jan 22, 2020|Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Orthopedic, SplintER|

SplintER Series: A Rare Cause of Traumatic Thumb Pain

A 45 year-old male presents with right thumb pain and deformity after falling off his bicycle. You obtain hand x-rays and see the following images. What is the most likely diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management plan?

Figure 1. AP and oblique views of the hand. Author’s own images.

(more…)

By Megan French, MD, FACEP|2019-12-29T11:26:41-08:00Dec 30, 2019|Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Orthopedic, SplintER|

Figure 1: Terminal extensor tendon avulsion at distal interphalangeal joint of 5th digit

A 17-year-old baseball player presents complaining of finger pain and difficulty straightening his finger after a baseball game. You obtain x-rays and see the following fracture (photo credit).

What is your diagnosis and emergency department management?

(more…)

By Megan French, MD, FACEP|2019-09-09T13:54:59-07:00Aug 30, 2019|Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Orthopedic, SplintER|