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?
An 82-year-old woman presents with left hip pain after a mechanical fall while cleaning the kitchen floor. When EMS arrived, the left leg was foreshortened and externally rotated. The paramedics administered 10 mg of IV morphine, but she is still writhing in pain on arrival. The AP pelvic x-ray demonstrates a left femoral neck fracture (arrow). You consider performing a fascia iliaca nerve block for better pain control.
Welcome to Leg Day #4 of the SplintER Series! Ankle dislocations are an emergent condition in the Emergency Department (ED) that requires expert-level examination and management. We review the pertinent and subtle sports medicine examination and management techniques that will help you feel in control from time of presentation to disposition.
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A 46 year-old male presents with wrist pain after sustaining a mechanical fall and catching himself on his outstretched hand. An anteroposterior (left) and lateral (right) plain films of the wrist are obtained (photo credit).
What is the diagnosis (hint – there are 2 findings), injury classification system, associated findings, and the recommended management plan?
A 45 year old woman presents with several days of gradually worsening right shoulder pain and stiffness. Her shoulder is very warm to the touch but not erythematous. You obtain shoulder x-rays and see a linear density in the AP view (photo credit).
What is the most likely diagnosis, the differential diagnosis, and management plan?
A 22 year-old male was playing football when he fell, landing on his outstretched left arm with his thumb flexed. He now has pain at the base of his thumb. This AP view of the hand best demonstrates the injury (photo credit).
What is this fracture, what additional imaging is needed, and what should be the management plan?
Welcome to Leg Day #3 of the SplintER Series! Performing a fast and focused history and physical examination of a patient with an acute knee injury is an important skill that has the potential to be overlooked in our busy Emergency Departments. Our hope is that after reviewing this post and with enough practice you will be able to complete your exam within 2 minutes! These are can’t-miss points and expert tips on the knee exam for your next shift in the ED.
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