SplintER Series: Hip Pain Following an MVC

A 48-year-old female presents to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision (MVC). She is complaining of left hip pain. Her radiographs are shown (Image 1 courtesy of Dr Ayaz Hidayatov, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 52760). What is your diagnosis? What is the likely mechanism of injury? What physical exam findings are expected? What is your management in the emergency department and when should you consult orthopedics?

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SplintER Series: Elbow Injury

A 70-year-old female presents with left elbow pain and deformity after falling on an outstretched hand. You obtain shoulder x-rays and see the above images. What is the most likely diagnosis, likely mechanism of injury, expected physical exam findings, and management plan?  (Image 1: AP and lateral views of the left elbow. Author’s own images)

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SplintER Series: Finger pain

proximal phalanx fracture

A 45-year-old male presents to the emergency department (ED) with right hand pain after an e-bike accident. Physical exam shows deformity and tenderness at the 5th proximal phalanx. Radiographs are shown above (Image 1: Plain radiography of right hand with AP and oblique views. Author’s own images). What is the most likely diagnosis? What are the important aspects of the associated physical examination? What is the management in ED, including pain management? When do you consult orthopedics?

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A Pop in the Calf – Plantaris Rupture

plantaris rupture

A 32 year-old male presents to the Emergency Department after he felt a “pop” in his posterior-medial calf while playing tennis. He was able to ambulate but had pain with plantar flexion and was unable to continue playing tennis. What is your differential diagnosis? What physical exam maneuver would you perform? What findings would you expect on physical exam? What is the diagnosis based on ultrasound images? What is your management in the emergency department?

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SplintER: Knee pain after the jump

tibial tubercle fracturesA 15 year-old male presents to the emergency department with left knee pain and swelling after jumping while attempting to dunk a basketball. You obtain a knee x-ray (image 1 courtesy of Mark Hopkins, MD). What is your diagnosis? What patient population is at risk for this injury? What other injuries occur in this anatomical location? What is your emergency department management?

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